The Conlawprofs were at it again, trying to figure out the best way to sort out The Forest of Constitutional Law. So very heavy on the theory, they were, using exalted, abstract terminology, heavy on the abbreviated case names, thrown in for example, showing erudition, as you would expect.
I couldn't stand it any longer.
I contributed this.
Now I duck.
They like academic, not poetic.
Poetry was invented for a reason.
It skips academic.
***
THE FOREST OF CON-LAW
The Fathers planted a forest, grown thick, with cultivation, and wild, for centuries.
Students have difficulty seeing this forest for the trees.
Professors survey the forest: trees, roots, branches, leaves and tangled bushes.
The wind blows, rustling, bending, leaning, all in the forest, and the parts.
A forest fire.
Hurricanes.
Fog.
Clearing is required.
Look at the trees.
Look at the wind.
Look at the fog.
How?
***
Not quite haiku-worthy, perhaps, but you get the point.
rs
sfls
***
-after grading too many exams and reading too much debate about how to organize and thus teach Con-Law.
I changed 'Framers' in the original, to 'Fathers,' here.
More evocative of how we see 'em and why we resort to 'em.