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LITERARY NOOK
VICE and VIRTUE SONNETS Brief Tales of Blind Justice Scales
Four Forays into 4 A’s on Justice
Four four-line poems for the 4th of July 2021.
For all those who practice it, need it, and heed it.
For freedom of the press & newspapers that feed it.
Aristotle (384 – 322 B.C.) on Poetic Justice
Greek philosopher Aristotle described ‘poetic justice’
as “being pain felt at either good or bad fortune if
undeserved or to joy felt at them if undeserved.”
Absolute Justice, Justice Absolute
a central doctrine or tenet of the Marines
wipe out evil and illegal activities
the end justifies the means.
Abstracts of Justice
abstract justice applies laws with equitable facts
and implementation of principles to matters
information to be disseminated in abstracts.
Administration of Justice
studying torts and lawbooks gives minds a nudge
up all day and night to find out what is right
people stand in court rooms, “Here comes the Judge.”
Justice Commences Jumping Fences
“Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”
—Benjamin Franklin
Justice is and justice tries to find reasons why
justice walks a legal mile and truly takes a while
how will the legal system treat all those that
pass before them when trials come to a close
court procedures guide the legal explanations
leading to binding arbitration and negotiations
lawyers reveal multiple disputes and allegations
Aristotle says, “the virtue of justice consists in
moderation, as regulated by wisdom.”
And Justice for All
“Nothing is to be preferred before justice.”
— Socrates, Greek philosopher, 470? – 399 B.C.
From the 4th of July to the far away future
let us strive to make justice a prime virtue
on Independence Day may we hear the call
and pledge “liberty and justice for all’
from the West Coast to the Philippine sea
let the Pacific Ocean be pollution free
let us all continue to seek justice for all
from small tropical island to big city hall.
Joey ‘Pepe Batbon’ Connolly (Special to the Saipan Tribune)
Joey “Pepe Batbon” Connolly is a retired teacher and has been named a poet laureate of Tinian. He has taught English in CNMI public schools for the past 30 years. He has also taught in Alaska, New Orleans, and Las Vegas.
