Chapter 59 - Sestina 2 (1/2)

It feels like forever I've been on the job.

Pinned down by the weight of my gun and my badge;

my duty is etched there, to serve and protect.

The uniforms tape off the scene of the crime

at this point, there still isn't much to report,

It promises to be one hell of a night.

My partner and I will work into the night;

It's on days like this I truly hate my job.

The worst part of all is the daily report,

Complete with the number and name from my

badge

I lay out the facts of a hideous crime.

The victim is gone; one we failed to protect.

Now my reputation I have to protect.

From hero to scapegoat – it just takes one night;

a free-roaming villain, or one unsolved crime.

To close every case is the goal of the job,

the reason each day that I put on the badge.

I wish I could put that inside the report.

The televised anchors all love to report

to viewers – the public I've sworn to protect –

The slightest mistake by one who wears the badge.