By Shem Onderi
Dead silence.
You speak only when allowed.
The rows are wide—
no close contact.
The sitting arrangement is never welcoming.
Here, people come
to hear the law speak
and act.
The courtroom is quite small in size,
fit for only a few people.
Faces in the courtroom are mean.
Court users come dressed
to fit the status
of the precincts.
Procedure dictates order and time—
who speaks,
and when.
This is no marketplace.
Surprisingly though,
the traders of the law
argue out loud
for the bench to hear,
each quoting clauses.
The person on trial
is the judge—
because the accused
and the aggrieved
already know
their guilt
or innocence.
There are no jokers
in the courtroom.
I want to know
who designed
the procedure therein
and the dress code.
Help me know
why we cannot fundraise
to raise the bail,
why the sittings
are adjourned.
Then mention:
ruling
and sentencing.
Case closed.