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    northie
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Re-Verse - 6. Blind Justice

My first attempt at a chant ...

Accused, he stands, the dock, his place
What need has he of sight?
A wight brought low with crabbed old age
What need has he of sight?

The charge is false, his conscience clean
What need has he of sight?
His tale has truth, and right besides
What need has he of sight?

The lawyer's tongue shall do the deed
What need has he of sight?
His nose will scent the blight of fear
What need has he of sight?

Each juryman loves truth's bright sound
What need has he of sight?
He hates how lies do stink of filth
What need has he of sight?

The lawyer's words hold tight each man
What need has he of sight?
So keen and sharp, they work his will
What need has he of sight?

The judge's scales weigh every fact
What need has he of sight?
Both heft and light, they fill this side
What need has he of sight?

Afeared, the man lets loose his tongue
What need has he of sight?
His plight creeps out in sobs and gulps
What need has he of sight?

The lawyer's voice sounds strong and true
What need has he of sight?
Such might prevails afore too long
What need has he of sight?

Each juryman now knows his mind
What need has he of sight?
The fight is done, the victory clear
What need has he of sight?

The judge heard all, his course is plain
What need has he of sight?
Ere night has past, a man will hang
What need has he of sight?

Condemned, the man hears naught but pain
What need has he of sight?
The rope's full bite will end his life
What need has he of sight?

Justina speaks, each man gives ear
What need has he of sight?
Her sword shall smite what he abhors
What need has he of sight?

This was first posted on my external blog. The YeahWrite poetry form for last month was chant. It was combined with a 'what if' prompt that all humanity was blind.

All comments and constructive criticism are welcomed.
Copyright © 2017 northie; All Rights Reserved.
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

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  • Site Administrator

Very well done, Northie.  This flows easily and the refrain isn't filler, but relevant to each stanza.  Not easy to do. This is a form that suits your style, I think.  :)  

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Very rhythmic, northie. I fell into the chant immediately in my head. It tells a story, and makes me think, so kudos to you. Was I wrong to think there was hope at the end? Cheers, my friend... Gary....

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59 minutes ago, Valkyrie said:

Very well done, Northie.  This flows easily and the refrain isn't filler, but relevant to each stanza.  Not easy to do. This is a form that suits your style, I think.  :)  

Thanks, Val. It was made plain in YeahWrite's notes that the bourdon would make or break this form. The goal is to have the repeated line's meaning shift back and forwards depending on the rest of the verse.  :) 

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23 minutes ago, Headstall said:

Very rhythmic, northie. I fell into the chant immediately in my head. It tells a story, and makes me think, so kudos to you. Was I wrong to think there was hope at the end? Cheers, my friend... Gary....

You were, Gary. I'm sorry ...  ;)  I'm glad it grabbed you nevertheless. 

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This certainly fits as a chant; the accused cannot find his way out of the inexorable, inexplicable verdict. Very dramatic and tragic, too. 

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8 hours ago, Parker Owens said:

This certainly fits as a chant; the accused cannot find his way out of the inexorable, inexplicable verdict. Very dramatic and tragic, too. 

Thanks, dear friend. There's no stopping it until the chant reaches the inevitable conclusion.

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Redolent with the feel, sound and repetition of the court room. Excellent ! We do however often wish that justice wasn’t quite so blind ..... or maybe nowadays blind and deaf . 

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On 8/21/2018 at 7:14 PM, deville said:

Redolent with the feel, sound and repetition of the court room. Excellent ! We do however often wish that justice wasn’t quite so blind ..... or maybe nowadays blind and deaf . 

Like you, I fear the siren song of an expensive, educated lawyer does make me wish for selective deafness. (Unless they're defending me, of course ... ;)) Thanks.  :) 

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Your format was great, and the story in your chant was interesting. It would be fun to hear this in a group choral reading. Thanks. 

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17 hours ago, JeffreyL said:

It would be fun to hear this in a group choral reading.

What an interesting idea. Maybe I should find someone to set it to music?

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