jeu de paume

the judge sat regal upon a large throne

wrapped in the glittering emoluments of wisdom

an enormous heraldic emblem crowned the world behind her

and gave moment to her words

in colours so vivid they might speak at any moment

and direct procedings

the man aggrieved and the defendant were arranged

on opposite sides of the court

yet closer than afforded either comfort

the tension between them palpable as

a threaded rope on a gibbet

so great were the stakes binding them

their counsel played

the justice game like jeu de paume

or a card game with tricks and trumps and other devices

and when it was over the witnesses spent of their fuel in the fire of cross examination

the judge spoke

the jury stunned by the gravity of her remarks

and they weighted the words like marbles in the hands of children

they returned no verdict as if God and the Devil

were at peace with each other in a perfect balance

a palindrome