they are going to vote ‘guilty’
and she refuses to believe
the new procedures are fair

nervous as she ascends the podium
unfolding her statement – she is not
convinced that bias has been eliminated

a dozen people deliberating in a room
is better than
a million poised behind smartphone screens

Note: Now read the story from the last line through to the first!

Alanah Andrews is an English teacher in Australia. She is the author of “Beyond,” A Short Story Collection of twisted tales, ghosts, aliens, murder, and “beyond.” You can follow her at facebook.com/alanahandrewsauthor.