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Perverted Progress story poem which became a rant

The bards are dead and none recall
the glory days, when every hall.
Would echo to their epic tales
and hear the news they would regale

The ancient bards were men of law
They were welcomed at every door.
A peasant’s cot or chieftains hall
it made no difference at all.

They were accorded great respect
as arbiters as you’d expect.
These minstrels wise in Brehon Law
and holders of the magic lore.

All men were treated equally
and their decisions seen to be
delivered so impartially.
The way that justice ought to be.

No man could buy their loyalty
They were all that they claimed to be.
Men of prodigious memory
who could judge - impartially.

The rights and wrongs of any cause
and had the power to enforce.
Such was the power of Brehon law
which ruled the land in days of yore.

But time moves on and all things change
invaders come and re arrange.
The world to suit their foreign ways.
The bards refused to sing their praise.

So they were hunted down and killed
This left a gap which would be filled
by lawyers of a different sort.
Corrupt men who could be bought.

By those who had he greatest wealth
Well versed in lies deceit and stealth
Although professing probity.
Behind the scenes where none could see.

These lawyers aided thievery
and favoured those of high degree.
Against the poor but honest men
who had their lands and goods taken.

To fill the coffers of the rich
whose greed consumed them like an itch.
Unsatisfied they craved for more
and so perverted every law.

Judgement was now a mockery
which could be purchased for a fee.
A price the poor man could not raise
and thus he always lost his case.

Things are much the same today
unless you can afford to pay.
Outrageous fees which lawyers ask
You face an impossible task.

You wont get justice you’ll get law.
That’s what you pay your lawyer for.
To find some loophole you can use
so that you need not pay your dues.

Avoiding any punishment
however evil your intent
He’ll find some technicality
which he’ll invoke to set you free.

The golden days when laws applied
to all men equally were set aside.
So justice wears a blindfold now
that’s fastened tightly round her brow.

The lawyers dare not let her see.
How they have made a mockery.
Twisting the meaning of the law
and making use of every flaw.

and every legal argument
to thwart the laws avowed intent.
To protect the innocent.
Another failed experiment.

We have to find a better way
which does not favour those who pay.
As it was in days of yore
when no man was above the law.

Then justice was not bought or sold
the bards had small regard for gold.
They were renowned for honesty
dispensing justice without fee.

Supported by all honest men
we shall not see their like again.
Until the people indicate
they will no longer tolerate.

This rank injustice any more.
Demand we overhaul the law.
Rewrite them so they will apply
to everybody equally.

Justice must be seen to be done
to anyone and everyone.
Impartially as it should be
and truly independently.

But Alas the bards are dead
and we have chaos in their stead.
Today the world is ruled by greed.
Me first, me first the only creed.

poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Added by Poetry Lover
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