Xylotomist
by Gregg Metcalf
In many a gruesome criminal trial
Expert testimony is often needed
To convict one so despicably vile
By a guilty verdict unimpeded
Witnesses vary from field to
field
Each an expert in his own right
bearing evidence prepared to yield
A guilty verdict without being trite
In the most famous kidnapping
case
Arthur Koehler was the state’s decision
As an xylotomist he was such an
ace
He worked eighteen months with
precision
Koehler provided the evidence
sought
By linking a ladder to a small
piece of pine
It came from a factory Koehler
had thought
was milled from a broken machine at
that time
The state’s expert presented the
court
With a chalk rubbing of a
particular sample
He proved the small piece of pine
was a sort
As the one taken from the ladder
example
The state’s xylotomist did win a
guilty finding
Ensuring the execution of Bruno
Hauptmann
Having presented evidence ever so
binding
The Lindberg baby trial finally came to
an end
Xylotomy is the preparation of
small wood samples
Viewed under a microscope while
using a microtome
It is the art and science of
matching minute examples
In hopes of bringing the much
needed evidence home
You put me to shame Gregg, Your poetry is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Not so, Yvonne. Your poetry inspired me. You are published, two books as a matter of fact. You are kind, but I think too kind.
ReplyDelete