Judge Shamus
by Rachel Hoyt
image by Salvatore Vuono via freedigitalphotos.net
If you dare deface my town,
I will dress you as a clown.
If you steal from the needy,
You'll be temp-tattooed 'Greedy'.
If you ditch cats in the cold,
You'll sleep where there's no stronghold.
I seek an eye for an eye,
Creatively, on the fly.
You may think that I am cruel,
But only you make you a fool.
I just flaunt your foolishness
And shame you with my wittiness.
© 2012
Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.
This poem is about creative judges
who bravely risk reputation smudges
by creatively sentencing to help some learn
in life reputation is something you earn.
Read more rhymes by Rachel at her column, Clickety Clack -
poetic news about Santa Barbarians talking back
The thing I hate more than anything is the rights given to criminals. If it were up to me, I'd bring back the stocks, especially placed publicly in the centre of town. A 'fresh' supply of rotten tomatoes should be available as well. If you want to act foolish in society, then you should be treated foolishly.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hate to say it, but it is comments like yours here that make me a little worried about encouraging the practice. There is a fine line between teaching someone a lesson and abusing them. Throwing rotten tomatoes would be considered abuse in my opinion unless those are hypothetical tomatoes...
DeleteHey, I've heard about this ;D
ReplyDeleteHuh. It's like we were talking about it on facebook and your blog recently or something... :P
Deletewithout a witness does anything really happen? and if we dont bear witness does it either? smiles...
ReplyDeleteI still haven't figured out that whole "if a tree falls in the forrest" thing and now you're throwing this one at me? LOL (A very good point you make there sir...)
Deletesmiles...i like the creative sentencing...and community court as well..bringing the offender and the victims together to really understand how crime affects all...
DeleteWe have to at least try to encourage understanding, right? Smiles...
DeleteAnd, I love your wittiness, Rachel. You have another winning poem here and a great commentary.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you, Martha! :)
DeleteI kind of like the idea of this! But then again, of course, discernment is key!
ReplyDeleteDiscernment is definitely key! Thanks for visiting, Jessica. :)
DeleteWe could certainly use more judges like that. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I wish there was one in my town. :)
DeleteThe concept of shame can be a powerful learning experience when the same is owned in a righteous way. If I harm someone, shouldn't I feel shame? It is when we begin punishing that sometimes the person who committed the wrongful act begins to feel indignation instead of shame. Thought provoking Rachel
ReplyDeleteIt definitely provoked some good thoughts from you! Thanks for visiting and commenting. :)
DeleteThe concept of shame can be powerful. A great piece, Rachel.
ReplyDeleteShame is very powerful indeed. Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteFascinating and fun.
ReplyDeleteThank you Buddah! :)
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