Wearing a white kikepa to the stand
The prosecution found it necessary
Objections from the defense
The judge nodded for her to do so

The prosecution found it necessary
Asked how many children she had
The judge nodded for her to do so
No one in the courtroom moved

Asked how many children she had
Two dead, two alive- Joseph and Lillian
No one in the courtroom moved
as his mother gave it all away

Two dead, two alive- Joseph and Lillian
"Is Joseph alive?" a faint wail
as his mother gave it all away
The jurors strained to hear

"Is Joseph alive?" a faint wail
the bloodstained shirt displayed
The jurors strained to hear
last washed and mended the night before

The bloodstained shirt displayed
Voice steeled as she lifted her head
last washed and mended the night before
What mothers do for their sons

Voice steeled as she lifted her head
The prosecution rests
What mothers do for their sons
Wearing a white kikepa to the stand