Strophe
From Richmond’s courts a challenge rose,
Virginia stood with iron hand:
“No higher voice may rule our cause,
No distant bench may shape this land.”
Antistrophe
But Union’s law was forged in fire,
Its voice one chorus, strong and clear;
The Constitution lifts us higher,
And binds the states when nations hear.
Epode
Thus Marshall spoke: the Court must see
All laws that flow from federal might;
For justice needs a single key,
To keep the Union’s compass right.
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Author:
Matthew R. Callies (
Offline) - Published: September 7th, 2025 00:40
- Comment from author about the poem: For context, Cohens v. Virginia is a landmark 1821 Supreme Court case that asserts the Court's power to review state supreme court decisions in criminal law matters if defendants claim that their constitutional rights have been violated.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 15
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett
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Comments2
Well crafted this poem portrays well the matter in good rhyme and meter. Nicely done and a fave
This poem beautifully captures the tension between state and federal authority. I love how the strophe, antistrophe, and epode mirror the debate and resolution, and the language makes the Supreme Court’s role feel both heroic and essential.
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