Brought to Book

“Brought to book”, it is an ancient phrase

A criminal is made to face his sin

To stand before the judges who pronounce his final days

The days when retribution will begin

Sometimes it is a court of high estate

With robes and pomp; the might of law displayed

Sometimes it is the soldier judging to protect his mate

Who silences the coward with a blade

And even those who others never try

Do often face a court of no appeal

They look like any other; that appearance is a lie

It covers up the guilt they always feel

Who better both to punish and atone

For crimes the law will never recognize

Than he who walks the worlds and bears his penance all alone

And looks for pardon in no other’s eyes

Oh, He who sees the criminal and crime

If from your heavn’ly portal you should look

And feel that this poor prisoner at last has served his time

Allow forgiveness to be brought to Book