Poem: "When Themis Peeks"
This poem came out of the January 5, 2012 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from siege and sponsored by janetmiles. You can read more about Themis online.
When Themis Peeks
They have forgotten why
Lady Justice covers her eyes.
She is not blind,
nor is she failing to pay attention
to the scales in her hand.
They have forgotten why
the Holiest of Holies is always hidden
behind a veil.
For the gaze of a goddess
is a great and terrible thing,
as piercing as the Truth itself,
and few can withstand it
without being consumed in its sacred flame.
Only those pure of heart
or those in service to the goddess herself
can hope to look her in the eye and stay sane.
From time to time,
she lifts the cloth from her silver eyes
and searches the sons and daughters of men
for those who will serve her.
When Themis peeks
and finds one who stands unflinching,
she beckons and says,
"Come, do my work in the world.
Judge the cases that come to the hall of Justice."
Then the new judge lifts her chin,
blinks against the sudden sight
that shows her the souls of all humanity,
and declares, "Yes, my Lady."