Bound at hand and foot
He walks the tiled hall
Braving stares of onlookers
And the camera captures all
Wheel-chaired lawyer rides beside
Dark lenses over blinded eyes
Graying judge on bench a-sitting
His eyes decline thoughts of acquitting
Brown-clad deputies at each door
Shifting to avoid standing sore
The words are calm
But deeds were rough
Defendant massages
His buttoned cuff
Family waits with worried glance
Wondering if there be any chance
Of freedom for their boy
Wringing perspired wrinkled hands
To the sound of whirring fans
Wait for terror or for joy
Today will not end it
More waiting is to come
Meantime, the judge says:
“To jail with the bum.”
Written in Wewoka, Okla., while covering the murder trial of Rocky Ward as an employee of a local daily newspaper.