Prisoner of Need

The crowd that packed the county court all shared a common creed, With eagerness to point to where the evidence did lead. They’d gathered like piranhas; their intention was to feed. The charges told a heinous crime and named who did the deed. They ordered the defendant rise and prompted him to plead. He softly said, “Not guilty,” hoping God might intercede. The judge brought down his gavel for the trial to proceed. The prosecutor stated that the motive had been greed. The witnesses all testified they saw the victim bleed. The judgment that the man would face was all but guaranteed. The jury weighed the evidence and everyone agreed. They settled on a verdict with apocalyptic speed. The doomed man sat in silence like a coon they might’ve treed. The judge put on his glasses and began to slowly read, “The court does hereby sentence the defendant to be freed.” “His heart’s a fertile pasture where desire’s taken seed. He’s forced to tend a craving that has flourished like a weed. Let clemency be granted for this prisoner of need.” For a prisoner of need, it’s a hellish fate, indeed. There’s never been confinement that could possibly exceed The bondage of a prisoner of need.