Long Story Short

A walk around the block in my parents’ neighborhood at dawn
wearing mom’s sweater and pop's sneakers with a clown hole cut out for  
      toe infection
I was stopped by a cop in a cruiser
this was during the Vietnam War long hair ago
he was angry at everyone I was offended by everything
he said which way are you going I said which way are you going
so he socked me in the mouth and handcuffed me
I was arraigned on disorderly conduct and resisting arrest
my good parents came down and stood beside me before the judge 
I wrote to the police department internal affairs
not for retribution but to start a paper trail 
in case this cop someday bopped one of my brothers
a few months later I’m back at work in NYC 
two detectives come into the city to question me
one good cop one bad cop we park in the park me in the back seat 
they wanna know was I mouthy to the cop who punched me in the mouth 
long story short
they leave me on a bench to eat my lunch and the charges are dropped
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

M  Avatar
January 18, 2022 at 7:26 AM
Good on you Robert … I am so glad the charges were dropped. It’s not right! Really enjoyed reading this Robert. Debx
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace