Lawful Witness

In little towns the big events are locally presented,
and every family in the town is usually represented.
Shopkeepers shut their doors when a pioneer curls his toes,
and if someone’s up to mischief, then everybody knows.

Every sporting club is well supported, right down to the wire,
they are the social hubs of towns to set the youth on fire,
through footy clubs and netball clubs combining into one 
to sing and dance the night away, promoting local fun.

Of course when youth is mixed with party love can fill the air, 
so Cupid’s firing arrows through the hearts of those who care.
This sometimes leads to earnestness when love gets in the way;
the town is now preparing for there’ll be a wedding day.

There’s heaps of preparation from the family of the bride;
flower girls and pretty maids to stand right by her side.
There’s the minister and invitations; the caterers are right.
All the groom must think about - “Are you coming to the bucks night?”

It’s half past five and dawn is breaking; we’re coming back to town.
God knows who is driving but their foot is going down.
There’s nugget, sauce and butter, smeared over everything;
the bucks party is over now - it’s ten hours ‘til the wedding.

And now coming up behind us is a mass of flashing light,
when a siren started blaring; we thought it better to take flight.
We shot around some back streets trying to lose this cop,
then someone with a drunken slur, said “I think we better stop.”

Popularity is not the word that I would say is spoken next.
This angry cop took any plea completely out of context.
He wouldn’t listen to a word that’s said, repeating “That’s enough!”
before I heard the second click of a closing set of handcuffs.”

In a cell back at the station there’s a pall of doom and gloom.
And there’s a hint of panic when it’s mentioned in the room,
by the cop who indicated strongly that by giving him some flack, 
we’re gunna stay locked up until his Sergeant arrives back.

I made every kind of plea I could, but this cop avoids my dreading.
He said “Young lad you’re lucky; my Sergeants at his daughters wedding, 
so he’ll be in a good mood when he greets you in this room.” 
“Don’t bloody count on it” I said - “Because I’m the flamin’ groom!”
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Maverick Avatar
September 25, 2022 at 11:46 AM
This is the first Bad cop, bad groom scene I've Come across Lindsay ' unique and fun mate.'
Canerdy Avatar
December 26, 2021 at 4:22 PM
Another well-plotted, entertaining narrative poem with a dynamite ending, Lindsay! Janice
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 5:41 PM
Hello Janice ... oh yes, the explosion from this would have been heard all over the county - thanks Janice - Lindsay
Rose  Avatar
December 22, 2021 at 4:13 AM
lol flaming groom, my dad was arrested on his wedding day because he brother falsely accused him cuz he was jealous, he was in love with his brothers wife. (my mom ) that was the story we were told as young, nice write Laurie, God bless, stay well.
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 5:39 PM
Hello Vie ... your tale is interesting, and as you can see, a wedding can have pitfalls to overcome - thank you Vie - Lindsay
Lane Avatar
December 21, 2021 at 1:26 AM
Lindsay, your rhyming is always perfect...an admirable trait.
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 5:36 PM
Thank you Lin for your fine comment indeed - Lindsay
Flood Avatar
December 20, 2021 at 4:28 PM
Brilliant finale, Lindsay. When I was at school we had an expression when things went tits-up… oh oh Chongo! Not sure what it actually meant but it seems appropriate to your groom’s predicament. ;-) Terry
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 5:35 PM
G'day Terry ... I don't know if the groom made the altar, but sure as hell he would have made the dock. A fate worse than death awaited him - thanks Terry - Lindsay
Cunningham Avatar
December 20, 2021 at 2:32 PM
Lol. The end line takes the trophy. You're brilliant at this Lindsay. Tom
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 5:32 PM
G'day Tom ... fast talking needed here Tom. Thanks for your comment Tom - Lindsay
Ball Avatar
December 20, 2021 at 2:10 PM
Oh too funny Lindsay. Gotta fave this one. God Bless, JB
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 5:29 PM
Hello Judy ... I don't think the end result will be all positive if things don't change quickly. Pleased you enjoyed it Judy - Lindsay
Leffanta Avatar
December 20, 2021 at 10:43 AM
Enjoyed! Well said, indeed! Aloha!
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 5:25 PM
Hello Rico ... those bucks nights can be fraught with danger, especially with a policeman father-in-law - thanks Rico - Lindsay
Rodrigues Avatar
December 19, 2021 at 4:58 PM
A funny twist, Lindsay!
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 5:22 PM
Hello Kim ... not the best start to a marriage - thank you Kim - Lindsay
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