The poem Justice by Gelett Burgess is a humorous take on the concept of justice and how it can be interpreted differently depending on one's perspective. The poem begins with the line "I never saw a purple cow, I never hope to see one" which sets the tone for the absurdity that follows. Throughout the poem, Burgess uses various examples to illustrate his point about the subjectivity of justice and how it can be interpreted differently by different people. The poem ends with the line "But I'd rather see than be one", suggesting that while we may not always agree on what is just or fair, we should strive to understand each other's perspectives.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1903 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Moral Instruction