the third branch
the courthouse south-of-market is
its own special hell realm.
a neon sign welcomes prospective jurors.
no explosives. no firearms.
no knives. no guns.
no drugs. no alcoholic beverages.
the guards in khaki.
six gilded elevators.
long civic corridors.
peach porcelain drinking fountains.
thick wooden doorways.
the judge in black.
a robbery on a muni bus, three on one.
the accused in pale yellow.
ladies and gentlemen of the jury
do any of you ride muni?
the lawyers in navy blue.
do you think black men commit more crimes
than white men?
do you cross the street when you see three black men
coming down the sidwewalk?
establish guilt or innocence beyond
a reasonable doubt.
the chinese juror does not understand
the public defender's irish accent.
the d.a. warns this will not be like c.s.i.
in the last row female relatives
head to toe, all in white.
its own special hell realm.
a neon sign welcomes prospective jurors.
no explosives. no firearms.
no knives. no guns.
no drugs. no alcoholic beverages.
the guards in khaki.
six gilded elevators.
long civic corridors.
peach porcelain drinking fountains.
thick wooden doorways.
the judge in black.
a robbery on a muni bus, three on one.
the accused in pale yellow.
ladies and gentlemen of the jury
do any of you ride muni?
the lawyers in navy blue.
do you think black men commit more crimes
than white men?
do you cross the street when you see three black men
coming down the sidwewalk?
establish guilt or innocence beyond
a reasonable doubt.
the chinese juror does not understand
the public defender's irish accent.
the d.a. warns this will not be like c.s.i.
in the last row female relatives
head to toe, all in white.
