Everyone was in the hall
waiting to go back inside
like actors in a dramatic play
spectators, reporters, family members
and me -
“Jury’s back.” - the bailiff’s voice
opening the door yet no one moved
as if suddenly none of us wanted to know
or see –
“Back inside, again the bailiff -
the judge is drawing near.”
but a knowing had swept across the crowd
there was nothing left for us
nothing we needed to hear –
A newsman packed up his camera
a lady in a long coat turned
putting on her gloves
and a collective sadness filed out of the courthouse
some headed to the parking structure
others – the bus stop,
nobody was talking
the city felt different – quieter
lonely.
A single tugboat was making its way
down the lethargic river
but there were no barges to move
or cruise ships to park –
not so much as a sleeve to tug.
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