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The Court Appearance

Can I testify?,
Or would better be a lie.
No love is shown for his repeated crime.
Can I testify?
The gallows lurk for Destiny's dark climb.
Behold, the clock is running out of time.
Can I testify?,
Or would better be a lie.

prisontruthtriolet

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Michelle Smith

March 31, 2025 at 1:54 PM

Tricky question to discern

Hilda Greenhough

March 31, 2025 at 2:21 PM

Yes. What amount of guilt should others assume to take for the guilty? A question for today.

Shadow Hamilton

March 13, 2025 at 8:34 AM

hmm a hard choice Hilda truth is usually better but? hugs Shadow

Hilda Greenhough

March 13, 2025 at 10:08 AM

No doubt her honesty will kick in and she will testify, however, the guilt will be on her, not the guilty. Sad how others can take over our lives.

Alesia Leach

March 5, 2025 at 9:38 AM

I really like the ominous, almost fateful tone of The Court Appearance. The repetition of "Can I testify?" creates a strong rhythmic pull, reinforcing the speaker’s internal conflict--whether truth or deception is the better course. The phrase "the gallows lurk for Destiny’s dark climb" is particularly powerful, suggesting an unavoidable reckoning, with Destiny personified as something actively ascending toward its doom.

Hilda Greenhough

March 7, 2025 at 12:54 AM

Thank you for commenting. I purposely didn't address the guilty party. Poem shows how the guilt has been transferred to another person.

David Crandall

February 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM

I cast my vote for testifying!

Hilda Greenhough

February 23, 2025 at 5:50 PM

Thanks for reading my poem. It's a slice of crime and justice. Mother's and loved ones suffer more than the perp.

Kim Rodrigues

February 23, 2025 at 4:28 AM

Great! This one is about the angst of choice. The court appearance being important, but in what way…truth or lie, justice or peril…Interesting!

Hilda Greenhough

February 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM

Thank you. A witness must suffer a lot of guilt, especially if they know the person. I'm glad you liked my poem.

Karen Jones

February 22, 2025 at 11:04 PM

Hmmm but a lie under oath is perjury and puts you in jeopardy. Perhaps if you evade if able you don’t answer without lying. So a lie of omission lol! Tough call! Enjoyed this engaging write!

Hilda Greenhough

February 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM

Yes. Guilt either way. This person will pay the price with lifelong self recrimination. Maybe this is a poem of how actions of one can affect someone else. Thank you. I think you helped me understand my own poem.

David Fisher

February 22, 2025 at 4:13 PM

Wow, you create some moving drama as each line builds to the end. I wonder how you answered your question-a part two maybe?

Hilda Greenhough

February 22, 2025 at 4:22 PM

I'd end up just telling the truth, but my poems albeit begun with I, are never about me. I write through characters. It .might be good to include a second stanza.

Ink Empress

February 22, 2025 at 8:59 AM

Dear hilda, A very well expressed poem this is, i would always say, it is a very tricky thing to do to lie in anywhere and would be best to not testify at all. Theres something deep that youv delivered here and i feel it! Pleasure reading your work always! Sending you light always

Hilda Greenhough

February 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM

Thank you. My thoughts are similar to a Sophie's Choice. Inner turmoil is thus created.

Anne-Lise Andresen

February 21, 2025 at 7:02 AM

- Tell the truth... a lie will not serve anyone, Hilda :) - hugs

Hilda Greenhough

February 21, 2025 at 7:44 AM

I have created a dilemma. If the third line had been, "I can't lie, so I'll just say goodbye", problem solved. Thank you for reading my open ended poem.

Victor Buhagiar

February 21, 2025 at 1:51 AM

On the horns of a dilemma. Best not to testify unless another person would be blamed.

Hilda Greenhough

February 21, 2025 at 1:58 AM

Lol. I hadn't thought of that. I could have added another stanza.

Zyrool Gifford

February 21, 2025 at 1:06 AM

Hello Hilda, this is a powerful piece. the principle of a person is difficult to guess.The truth is always best. Wishing you a wonderful weekend my friend.

Hilda Greenhough

February 21, 2025 at 1:57 AM

I find it hard to lie. This would produce lasting guilt, either way. Thank you for your opinion.

Akham Nilabirdhwaja Singh

February 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM

The conflict of truth,and lie is very well depicted in the poem .A moral dilemma on the poet

Hilda Greenhough

February 20, 2025 at 8:20 PM

Yes, you are correct. This is a poem of moral dilemma.

Gershon Wolf

February 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM

A write that makes me think. A ture dilemma here. Thanks, Hilda. ~ Testy Fly

Hilda Greenhough

February 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM

Well it's a triolet. It goes in circles with not much room for expansion. The only clue is that it's a repeat crime, meaning that the convicted is a reprobate.

Paula Goldsmith

February 20, 2025 at 12:51 PM

I enjoyed reading your powerful write. Guess in life we have questions with no answers. I say never lie, if one does they will get caught in it. Have a fun day writing away..................

Hilda Greenhough

February 20, 2025 at 12:56 PM

Thank you. Life has stress and pressures. Perhaps a hurried asthma attack could intercede on court date. I'm laughing all the wat to my jail cell. I hope they have internet connection.

Joseph P. DiMino

February 20, 2025 at 12:38 PM

Lie? No. Refuse to testify, and be held in contempt is the issue. When family and close friends are involved...it is never an easy decision. Wrong either way. Making choosing even more difficult is seeing how corrupt the government is...knowing that justice does not apply also to those judging and accusing. It stinks. Ultimately one needs to decide if one is protecting the accused and other innocent citizens. Protecting someone from themselves. I am no lawyer. Just my uneducated opinion.

Hilda Greenhough

February 20, 2025 at 12:53 PM

I see I've opened a hornet's nest again. I'm not even sure what prompted this poem, but they say everyone has a doppelganger in a parallel universe. I hear a faraway cry from somewhere, and it's my voice. Now what have I done?