Opened Eyes of Justice

A quick reflection of what is lost when justice is not served by law that is supposed to govern all inequity.

Opened Eyes of Justice

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

"Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on." - Thurgood Marshall 

She is no longer blind

Her heart devoid of empathy for the victim

Corruption has spoiled the balance she holds

Justice is not weighted by truth but by bullet 

Justice is not held by standard but by money

Justice is not equal in law nor in color

Left to the winds of mercy what do we reap

With eyes open she is like us imperfect 

Biased 

Without 

Honor 

Or

Hope

And gone are

Civility 

Justice 

And...

Us

Author's Note

feel free to comment and leave thoughts. Thank you.

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

And with her eyes open Justice saw us. Trying. Failing. We look like two in a 3 legged race falling all over ourselves in the attempt.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

A profound and truthful statement William. Without her, Lady Justice, there is no society. There are only remnants of one. Freedom hangs on her being equal to all, not the few. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this poem.

[Indra's Child]

This has a beautiful flow to it and a somber, powerful, sobering message. I love the end, almost a warning that if we continue on this path will cease to live in a way.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this poem. Here in the United States we have referred to our system of law as lady Justice. She is often seen in statues as a robed woman wearing a blindfold and holding a scale in one hand and a book of law in the other. Her blindness represents equality under the law. Unfortunately is not really the case anymore. People of color and the poor are judged more harshly under our unfair biased system of justice now and is adding to the unrest within our nation. It is bringing us closer toward our demise as a country. And is stirring up the people's heart with hatred because of the lack of equality under the law. We are truly living in troubled times here in the States where our democracy is truly in peril. This poem was a reminder of just how fragile freedom and fairness under the law is. Thank you again my friend for commenting on this poem I truly appreciate it.

[lightsong]

Powerful and courage dear Carlos! You said it all and we have nothing to add but to agree, emotively and outstandingly done, Thank You for sharing your frustration, your care, your real humanistic sense.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for your kind comment I really appreciate it. I know at times political statements may not always be popular but art demands of us truth. We write because we are passionate about the words we feel and yearn to speak. In hopes their message resonates with others of like mind. The art of poetry is at its most powerful when the message is in itself the most humane and empathetical. When it challenges us to be better people. I feel in my heart this poem's message does just that. Thank you my dear friend for your encouraging words on my art.

[Lathen Griffiths]

I didn’t find your poem gloomy in any way whatsoever, I found it to be an honest portrayal of how many of us see the world at the moment, and it’s a very sad state of affairs. I believe we require a levelling up of all nations to combat injustice and protect its citizens whatever race, colour or creed. Your words expressed those ideals to me .
Thank you.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Lathen for your insightful comment on this poem. I couldn't agree more with your truthful statement. Here in the United States we give personage to law by calling it lady justice. She is always dedicated as carrying a balance of scales and with a blindfold. These past many decades though have proven she is anything but blind or fair for that matter. Recently a young man of privilege from an affluent family in New York was found guilty of raping a 15 yr old girl and three 16 yr old females as well. He had his sentence reduced by a judge who gave him probation instead of incarceration. A few years back a young college black youth was given 20 years to life for raping a girl. Our justice system is profoundly broken. When an underage youth can carry an illegal firearm into another state killing two people and disabling another for life and get no prison time for it than as a nation of laws we have serious problems. It is unsustainable a system that needs immediate reform from the top down. It does not behoove us as a civilized society to have a legal system based on ethnicity and wealth. If we continue upon this unequal road we will no longer have a democratic republic let alone a civilized society. Thank you again my friend for sharing your thoughts with me on this work. I truly appreciate it.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

A gloomy poem of poignant politics and societal ways expressed in a hardhitting eloquent way. Justice and equality are vital and without some karma may happen right here in this life. Kudos!!


Plz do read and comment my newest poem too titled, "Dandy randy Tom cat"

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for your insightful thoughts on this poem I really appreciate it.

[Betty Hermelee]

Our justice system is blind and needs to open its eyes…..we live in a democracy and justice must work…..we must protect our citizen of every color….we are devoid of this now….our justice system is corrupt, and not working for any of us, and we have lost our trust in it….I think your comments are right on….and then you say, because of this corruption, we have no hope . Very relevant and well written.
Best, B.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you B for your thoughts on this poem. It truly is disturbing what is happening and really calls to question fairness in our system of laws. When an affluent 20 year old guy gets away with serving time in the rape of 4 teenage girls a 15 yr and three 16 yr olds I don't care if he comes from privilege or not he needs to be behind bars regardless of age he committed these crimes. A few years back a college athlete of color was sentenced to 20 years to life for the rape of a female. This just does not sit well with me at all. Our system is broken and if we don't fix it so goes our democracy. Thank you again B for sharing your thoughts with me.

[Chris Shaw]

A sad reflection on justice as you see it in the USA. It appears broken by the example in your response to Andrew. Fair treatment for all, regardless of color, creed or race. Money should be irrelevant where justice is concerned. Sentencing, should reflect the crime and should apply to all. I still have faith in our justice system over here, but know there have been cases where eyebrows have been raised. A thought provoking write dear Carlos. Conveyed with passion.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Chris for you comment I really appreciate it. It is horrible that our system of justice has been tarnished and abused in our society. It reflects ill of those we put into power to be our moral leaders, who in fact end up corrupting our system for their benefit as well as those of the wealthy. We need major reform of our political system and a removal of money from it. Greed serves no purpose other than greed itself. If we don't make these vital essential changes we will become a footnote in the history of failed democracies. Time is truly against us. The longer we wait for change. Thank you so much again for your thoughts.

[Chris Shaw]

Money without doubt corrupts. Capitalism at its worse. Have a good weekend Carlos.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

You too Chris and thank you again for your words and friendship.

[andrew mitchell]

Law in order really is a scale where you have injustice on one side and justice on the other. Our deterioration of our values causes imbalance, many cracks we cannot repair. As always thoughtfully written.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Andrew for your important comment on this poem. Without equal representation and equal justice a civil society ceases to exist. Just the other day a young rich man was given probation after found guilty of raping a 15 yr old girl and three 16 yr old girls. Because he comes from a privileged home with money. And that is not even counting the inequality between the races and justice system. With each passing day it becomes unsustainable. Thank you again my friend.

[andrew mitchell]

That's terrible.