Justice Upside Down

It turns out “a nation of laws”
Means laws the powerful endorse.
The rest is trash.

Prosecute the prosecutors.
Guilt or innocence is determined
By whatever power favors.

Dissent against us is terrorism.
We make up truth and law as needed.
Our sympathies are with ourselves.

If you give us a lot of money
The law will always be on your side.
Bring your checkbook to the courthouse.

Your government now sponsors
The American Snuff Film Festival,
Extrajudicial murder our specialty.

America, how does it feel
To live in a country where legality
Depends on how much a psychopath likes you?

There’s pardon for the wicked,
The violent, haters and schemers.
Tickets for immunity sold here.

Our laws protect mass murderers.
We supply their instruments of death.
Money makes evil disappear.

Our law favors not hungry kids
but owners of yachts as long as football fields.
Conscience is hereby sentenced to death.

Equal Justice Under Law
Was meant just for show.
Be rich and you can do no wrong.

John Jiambalvo is the author of two collections of poetry, Shadows Walking Among Questions and Americana Collection, as well as a satiric novel, Smirk. Read other articles by John.