The Jury

The man we elected foreman.
We thought we were doing no harm.
Said we could call him Norman.
He was large and lacking in charm.

On the evidence placed before us.
Circumstantial, I thought and I said.
But Norman said no and intending to crush.
Inferred I was soft in the head.

He soon had the rest of the jury.
Agreeing his side of the tale.
While I sat nursing my fury.
At this large and dominant male.

It was plain to see, he blustered.
Let’s vote and then ring the bell.
Take it from him.  Don’t get flustered.
This guy is as guilty as hell.

The prisoner was duly convicted.
Sent down for a very long stretch.
Then later, as I had predicted.
They had to release the poor wretch

.

Several years later, while sorting the post.
A letter made it quite plain.
I thought I had finished.  Done more than most.
But was wanted for service again.

I recognized Norman, but now I was foreman.
And Norman was stood in the dock.
I thought back to his words: and I could recall ‘em.
Now I held the key to the lock.

It is plain to see, I blustered.
Let’s vote and then ring the bell.
Take it from me.  Don’t get flustered.
This guy is as guilty as hell.