We Are the L.A.P.D

I read "L.A. Confidential" and wrote three poems about the novel. This is the first.

We preach "absolute justice"
But do we really know what it means?
Our job is to protect the people
Protect from what? Ourselves.

We shake down hookers for
Under-the-table pay.
We cut the throats of those who
Stand in the way of our success.

Our pasts are like all others
The pages of our story
Stained with blood, pain, and sorrow
Call it motivation.

We're a band of brothers
Bound by honor, sin, and blood
We're no better than you,
We're the L.A..P.D.