Crime and Punishment

A poetic conversation between a judge and a defendant

By Joe PattersonPublished 9 days ago • 1 min read

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

All rise. Court is now in session.

Does this mean the law is about to teach me a lesson?

You put yourself here. You’re the one who did the crime.

I’ve heard it all before, so now I gotta do the time?

Yes. Do you have anything to say for yourself?

Every crime I ever committed was done for my health.

More excuses convict. Why must you lie to me?

I’m speaking the truth. It’s not my fault that I’m a menace to society.

Look at you. Still not taking accountability.

So what? I’m condemned to a correctional facility.

You thinks it’s funny becoming a product of the system?

You should talk. You’re the one who locked me in the system.

No. You’re the one who put yourself in cuffs.

I was pushed to do it because my life was always rough.

Well this is where it leads you. Iron doors are the last thing to click on your bucket list of crime and punishment.

slam poetry social commentary heartbreak

About the Creator

Joe Patterson

Hi I'm Joe Patterson. I am a writer at heart who is a big geek for film, music, and literature, which have all inspired me to be a writer. I rap, write stories both short and long, and I'm also aspiring to be an author and a filmmaker.

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