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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LAWYER by CARL SANDBURG

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN THE JURY FILES IN TO DELIVER A VERDICT AFTER WEEKS OF DIRECT
Last Line: OF MANY PREPOSTEROUS, UNJUST CIRCUMSTANCES.
Subject(s): LAW & LAWYERS;
WHEN the jury files in to deliver a verdict after weeks of direct and
cross examinations, hot clashes of lawyers and cool decisions of the
judge,
There are points of high silence -- twiddling of thumbs is at an
end -- bailiffs near cuspidors take fresh chews of tobacco
and wait -- and
the clock has a chance for its ticking to be heard.
A lawyer for the defense clears his throat and holds himself ready if
the word is "Guilty" to enter motion for a new trial, speaking in a
soft voice, speaking in a voice slightly colored with bitter wrongs
mingled with monumental patience, speaking with mythic Atlas shoulders
of many preposterous, unjust circumstances.




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