The Bill of Rights in a Nutshell
Joan D. Levin
Just take to heart what’s written here,
And I will bet a dollar,
That you can be the same as me:
A near-Constitutional scholar!
The First Amendment guards our rights,
To gather, speak and pray.
The Second lets us fire off shots,
And helps the NRA.
The Third Amendment keeps our houses,
Free of sleeping troops.
The Fourth protects our privacy,
From governmental snoops.
The Fifth Amendment guarantees,
Some values tried and true:
Life, liberty and property,
Secured by process due.
It also makes it very clear,
That no one else can take,
Confessions pouring from our mouths,
That we don’t want to make.
In crimes, the Sixth requires the State,
To show its grounds for trial,
By means of an indictment,
For admission or denial,
And promptly prove your lawlessness,
To jury peers, and then,
Once the trial is over, they
Can’t have at you again!
And you may cross-examine
All the folks who wish you ill,
And bring supporters for your side
(Regardless of their will.)
And best of all, a lawyer comes
To polish up your star.
The government may pay, how nice,
For this supports the bar!
The Seventh calls for civil juries,
The Eighth says “Have a heart!”
"Keep untried poor folk out of jail,"
And “Torture isn’t smart!”
Nine protects remaining rights,
That are not listed here.
And Ten says states may legislate,
Where this pact isn’t clear.
So now you have the Bill of Rights,
In brash and breathless rhyme.
Now aren’t you glad I wasn’t with
The Framers at that time?!
(c) Joan D. Levin, 2017
See: https://www.constitutionday.com
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