The Undefended Victims


For us, no gavel hammers, the scales were never weighted,
Our crime was that of victims, our lives, were the price we paid.


And when our lives were taken, why weren't our rights read?
And the statement overruled, when they pronounced us dead.


We'll never hear our rights, nor take the witness stand,
No-one to defend us, our fate was in the killer's hands.


Now the courtroom is crowded as the defendant pleads his case,
With an occasional smirk on his face, cold eyes on a straight face.


If only we could take the stand, and they could witness our last breaths,
Could they live with the terror that we went through in death?


If only they could hear our pleading cries and see the hatred in his face,
At least we'd know that the scales would be balanced in this case.


If we could, we would tell the jury exactly how it was,
The fear and pain we went through, gunned down without a cause.


Did the jury carefully weigh it all up, as they listened to the plea?
There were no emotions showing now, just the hope of going free.


The final verdict now is in, as the defendant stands without remorse,
If only we had done as well, given 20 years or more.



Poem adapted by Lynette Hammond (Original Author unknown)