Unshackle My Verse: the People V Poetry

Unshackle my verse: The People V. Poetry The judge says, “Will the defendant please rise” Intently, I stare into his eyes, was once the apple, but now despised. “Poetry, you have been charged with multiple counts of loitering in minds, Assault with a deadly weapon penning words that give sight to the blind, Aiding and abetting phrases that freed dark memories which were confined, Multiple counts of theft of feelings, stealing hearts with emotional lines, Mass murder charges stemming back years from killing time, Poetry, do you understand these charges and the nature of your crime?” “I do your honor. By the way, I love how you rhymed.” “Don’t get smart with me, poetry. Now how do you plead?” “Ha! You did it again, anyway, I plead guilty as sin.” “Very well, let us move on to the sentencing.” “Before we begin sentencing May I share a few sentences on my day of reckoning?” “I'll allow it I can't disavow it” “Excuse my french but screw your laws. Your rules cause people to follow I cause people to pause And to think, about how many victims blame me for what happens? I am only the rescue boat when they are drowning, not the captain I am the ambulance when lives are a wreck I’m not the suit and tie, i'm just the crew neck Underneath it all, that's where I thrive When voices fail, I won’t deprive I am the spokesperson for the heart Public relations for nature and art You can convict me and lock me away Throw the book at me, I’ll just eat its words like a buffet, You can’t pray this gay away For I am happy as child’s play So yes I am guilty, Guilty and proud I am who I am, a wordy muse well-endowed” “Oh and one more thing, your honor Before you rule and make me a goner Could I request a cell in isolation, not that it matters That’s just where I do my best work. It’s kind of a work hazard.” Written April 11, 2017, for the unshackle my verse contest