To the Law:

I salute you brother of mine One whose venomous bile Sends shivers down the spine Of spineless rank and file I have never known you But like William’s “18”, your Legend lives on afresh and new Telling tales of valour and rancour Singlehandedly, you transformed Be-neen Into a Bend-Hell; singlehandedly, You made the state’s purse quite lean Only to spend your loot foolishly Like Samson, you had a Delilah Like Achilles, you had the heel Expecting you to be caught very far From home, like a complacent eel You were tangled in the net Reclining in the recess of expired nipples Dousing my awe and admiration. How wet! Your fame is lost among the ripples Commander-in-thief that you once were You died like a mere beggar in the street How disappointing! From stag to mare You lost your crown by being indiscreet Daredevil, bank robber, kingpin Notorious criminal – the infamous Anini The Dillinger of your time – a King Dethroned by men on one knee.