Get Your Premium Membership

Adding Contempt

I was carting horse manure in a trailer that’s on loan. I’m driving on the back roads ‘cause I know that I am prone, to be courting a disaster if I take a major road, with no brake lights or blinkers and no cover on the load. I took me time by driving slow but then uttered in disgust, when I saw a blue light flashing in amongst the swirling dust. No blinkers and no brake lights, and added to the cop’s report, was the unsecured load and so I’ve booked a day in court. This meant a day off work for the ‘bluey’ stated ten o’clock. I dressed up in a suit and tie for me day out in the dock, but as I sat back and listened at the cases being heard, I was getting pretty restless - ‘cause the protocol’s absurd. They said ten o’clock be there and when one o’clock had passed, call goes out ‘its lunchtime,’ and so I gave the clerk a blast. I told him I’m a working man and that he’s wasted half me day, so how much longer must I be here, before I can get away. The clerk didn’t offer favours and in fact he didn’t budge. He mentioned quite sarcastically “Why don’t you ask the judge?” So I sauntered back in to the court and waited for me turn, and listened to the judgments that are handed down quite stern. And then the call goes out for me and so I walk toward the dock. The judge looked up and said “Hold on, it’s gone past four o’clock, and then declared “Court is adjourned; I’ll hear your case next week.” I thought, “You bloody rotten mongrel! I’ll give you some cheek.” Just as the judge had turned his back, I let out with a spray, “Hey listen here you goat, I can’t miss work another day!” He spun around and glared at me, and with a sharp retort, “I’m fining you one hundred dollars - for contempt of court.” A hundred bucks! You mongrel … and so I pulled me wallet out. The clerk scurried up beside me for what he thought that I’m about. “You don’t have to pay it now” he said - “I know you pair of nerds, I'm just seeing if I have enough for two more flamin’ words.”

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 8/13/2021 1:51:00 PM
You are sooooo clever, Lindsay. I think I would have responded just as you did. Your poem reminds me of something my Father used to say: "You can't fight city hall." I suppose he was right, but sometimes it's necessary to keep one's self-respect. Wonderful poem! Hugs, Paul
Login to Reply
Laurie Avatar
Lindsay Laurie
Date: 8/15/2021 7:42:00 PM
G'day Paul ... your Father is right. It's a law unto itself sometimes if it means fleecing us poor old citizens - thank you Paul for your fine comment - Lindsay
Date: 6/20/2021 10:28:00 AM
Ha ha ha, protocol is a an absolute pain, I couldn't agree with what you said more, i'm sure you felt what you said was worth every dollar as you looked for more money so you cold say more to the judge - excellent poetry and wit! Love this poem. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Login to Reply
Laurie Avatar
Lindsay Laurie
Date: 6/20/2021 8:31:00 PM
Hello Jennifer ... court procedure is not for the every day citizen. So many points of law and which lawyer is more convincing must have some power, but the truth always wins out. I'm pleased you had a chuckle with this poem Jennifer - Lindsay
Date: 6/14/2021 4:01:00 PM
Great ending, as always, Lindsay! Liked the way you slammed the court system too. When the government 'does' business, that's the end of business getting done! :) gw
Login to Reply
Laurie Avatar
Lindsay Laurie
Date: 6/20/2021 8:23:00 PM
Hello Gershon ... your comment gave me a bigger chuckle than the poem did. I got a kick out of your quote - thanks Gershon - Lindsay
Date: 6/12/2021 6:40:00 PM
Loved this Lindsay. It seems court can go that way. I remember when I was young I had to go to court because a man said I cut him off in traffic and he dented his fender. I went and testified that nothing would have happened if he had been watching the traffic instead of staring through the window at me. The judge threw the complaint out of court and I was o.k. Great write, God Bless, JB
Login to Reply
Laurie Avatar
Lindsay Laurie
Date: 6/20/2021 8:21:00 PM
Thank you Judy ... being in court can be a traumatic experience. There are nearly as many lies told in there as there is in parliament. Pleased you got off Judy - Lindsay
Date: 6/12/2021 11:27:00 AM
At least you discovered the best place to dump your cart . . . .
Login to Reply
Laurie Avatar
Lindsay Laurie
Date: 6/20/2021 8:18:00 PM
Hello Rico ... yes indeed, as long as the magistrate sees the funny side of it - thanks Rico - Lindsay
Date: 6/12/2021 2:39:00 AM
Lol, bet the air was blue. Tom
Login to Reply
Laurie Avatar
Lindsay Laurie
Date: 6/20/2021 8:16:00 PM
Hello Tom ... blue air in a court room can easily lead to a red face in a cell - thank you Tom - Lindsay
Date: 6/12/2021 2:06:00 AM
I almost choked on those last lines!!! That was quite a day you had! Did you have enough for the last two flamin' words? Oh my goodness, that was quite the poem!!
Login to Reply
Laurie Avatar
Lindsay Laurie
Date: 6/20/2021 8:14:00 PM
Hello BJ ... thankfully it is fiction on my behalf. I'm pleased that you got a giggle from it. Perhaps the magistrate might have added a night in a cell - thank you BJ - Lindsay

Book: Shattered Sighs