[1393] The Lawyers Know Too Much

Guest poem sent in by Salima Virani <svirani@>

The lawyers, Bob, know too much.
They are chums of the books of old John Marshall.
They know it all, what a dead hand wrote,
A stiff dead hand and its knuckles crumbling,
The bones of the fingers a thin white ash.
        The lawyers know
        a dead man's thought too well.

In the heels of the higgling lawyers, Bob,
Too many slippery ifs and buts and howevers,
Too much hereinbefore provided whereas,
Too many doors to go in and out of.

When the lawyers are through
What is there left, Bob?
Can a mouse nibble at it
And find enough to fasten a tooth in?

Why is there always a secret singing
When a lawyer cashes in?
Why does a hearse horse snicker
Hauling a lawyer away?

The work of a bricklayer goes to the blue.
The knack of a mason outlasts a moon.
The hands of a plasterer hold a room together.
The land of a farmer wishes him back again.
         Singers of songs and dreamers of plays
         Build a house no wind blows over.
The lawyers--tell me why a hearse horse snickers
         hauling a lawyer's bones.

	-- Carl Sandburg

[Comments]

After reading the last submission to Minstrels about lawyers, I could not
resist making a case in defence ;)

I'm always wary of the reaction I will get from people when I tell them that
I am a lawyer. I've gotten used to the contempt and the look of disdain that
come my way. I think I've also heard almost every lawyer joke that's out
there (and there's far too many) [I'm reminded of the lawyer who said "well,
then, the next time you're arrested, go hire a comedian!" - martin].  I've
browsed through many sites looking for poetry that (even if it does not glorify

lawyers) is (at least) not condescending towards them. I haven't had much
success.

This poem, much like a lawyer joke, highlights some of the stereotypes which
give lawyers the reputation they have. The use of archaic legalese jargon,
for instance. Attributes that lawyers are Insensitive, Cold, Callous and
Unfeeling. Perhaps, that's often the only way we can maintain objectivity
and be competent? Lawyers do know how to show compassion and love.  We also
know how to laugh and feel.  And shocking as it might sound, lawyers also
appreciate poetry. But, that is when they're not being lawyers.  However, a
competent lawyer is one that can put aside personal prejudices and feelings
(even when they are in conflict with the client)and maintain objectivity.

No one explains this dichotomy to lawyer's personality better than Mulan
Ashwin, a fellow lawyer and lover of poetry (I found this poem by him on the
web):

I am not a poet.
I am a lawyer.
Subtlety and sensitivity
are prerequisites for poets,
not so for lawyers.

I would be too scared to be
a poet; they feel too much.
Lawyers should not feel too much;
they are trained not to.

Can one train to be a poet?
To feel too much?

- Mulan Ashwin

[BIO]

Not much needs to be said about Carl Sandburg.  The EB biography of Sandburg
can be had at Poem #163

Cheers,

Salima

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From: "Mallika Chellappa" <mchellappa@>

<P>=0A<BR>=0AI can't agree that this poem, in any way, is a defence<BR>=0Aof lawyers! And, truth to tell, lawyers are one of<BR>=0Amy least favourite
people, after insurance agents<BR>=0Aand doctors. This although my own daughter is a lawyer.<BR>=0A<BR>=0AThere is the principle of Natural Justice, and there <BR>=0Ais Law. Law is man-made, and changes. Smugglers after<BR>=0Aall are only supplying a need i.e. responding to market<BR>=0Aforces, but over the centuries have been pilloried<BR>=0Afor their innocent participation in the play of<BR>=0Afree market forces. Pirates have been hanged or knighted.<BR>=0ABootleggers - the less said the better.<BR>=0A<BR>=0AMallika=0A</P>=0A=0A=0A<br><br>=0A<A target""_blank" HREF""http://clients.rediff.com/signature/track_sig.asp"><IMG SRC""inbox.htm@">http://ads.rediff.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_nx.cgi/www.rediffmail.com/inbox.htm@Bottom" BORDER"0 VSPACE"0 HSPACE"0 HEIGHT"74 WIDTH"496></a>=0A

From: "Ashok" <aj@>

>Subject: A lawyers comment on poem #1393

Without lawyers and judges,
so despised.
What then would prevail
Almighty's rights?

moral justice, perhaps
or religious fervor
a charlatan's equity?
or an anarchist's river

maybe
only
a sword
        drawn
                high
in defense,

would there be streets
or street fights
duties or
rights

would there be contracts
or might
a home
or flights

no sleep for the sweet
no rest for the wicked
no guard to stand trial,
no judge to decide,
no court to resolve

your own disputes and fights.