Rebuttal

The vitriol was unbelievable sometimes,
difficult to comprehend one human being could write that of another
anyone would have thought he was,
a rapist,
child murderer,
paedophile,
multiple killer.
Everybody has a right to trial, he said
to be judged by 12 of their peers –
the accused may have been fitted up
or truly innocent –
however foregone conclusions seemed.

He saw it as a prerogative of democracy
and a duty
would have made more money – “shit loads more,” in other law
but if they asked, he would defend them.
Only once did he reply to attack :
… ‘ you are sewerage.. ..a filthy, reprehensible, despicable little man.’

‘ Dear Sir
I take strong exception to the last –
I’m 6 foot three and 220 lbs,
I am not little.’