by Julia Griffin

For Mary, with apologies

“Police officers jail their toddler for struggling with potty training”
—The Washington Post

Back to the wall, kid! Drop that plushie now!
Stop! Is that diaper loaded? Can those sobs:
We’ve heard it all before. You’re booked, and how.
Doin’ our jobs, just here to do our jobs.
Cuffs not your size? Put both hands in. Too tight?
You shoulda thoughta that before your goof.
You wanna lawyer? Sure, you’ve got the right,
But trouble is, kid, we got all the proof.
This is one habit you’d be smart to quit.
Cops in the FPD don’t take no shit.