The Bill

I've posted this before, but I think it's worth posting every year as a reminder of the rights we have guaranteed by our constitution. And since this is still poetry month, it's appropriate.

Bill Of Rights

© 2009, 2012  Rolland G Smith

I looked upon a bill today

And I was taken by surprise.

It had no stamp to mark it paid,

And never will and that is wise.

The items were of noble thought.

Ten in a list and in a row,

And numbered in the Roman way

From I to X in even flow.

The first one was about some things,

We rarely give a thought about.

The right of faith and gathered groups

And saying things by speaking out.

Protection too was on the list

And barring arms, if so you choose.

It talked about militias too,

So no one’s freedom is abused.

The third one had to do with force.

Of soldiers living in your space.

It could not be without consent

Unless a law does grant the grace.

The fourth one had to do with search

Of you, your home and papers too

Unless there was a reasoned cause

That power may not misconstrue.

The fifth one was a longer one

Dealing with one’s self-conviction.

We have the right to talk or not

When accused of malediction.

The next one dealt with one’s arrest

And a quick and speedy trial.

The right to counsel was there too

To tell the court of one’s denial.

The seventh was a master one.

In all the suits of common law

Your peers decide your truth or not.

No court can change what juries saw.

The eighth is one of great import

To keep us from excessive fines,

Or punished in a cruel, strange way

If we’re convicted of a crime.

The ninth is all about the rights

Set in the Constitution’s list.

But even rights not listed there

Are equal and both co-exist.

Ten talks about THE DOCUMENT

And if the wording is not there

The states and people keep the rights

So that there is a balance fair.

No money pays this sacred bill

The rights are free and can’t be bought

They’re guarantees for one and all

Paid by the blood from those who fought.