Law and Poetry: Promises from the Preamble

This anthology uses themes from the Preamble to the Constitution as a structure and framework to present fifty-six poems, one for each state, the District of Columbia, and each of the five territories that, together, comprise the United States of America. Some of the poems were written by lawyers, some have obvious legal themes, and others illuminate legal concepts more obliquely. Is there a connection between law and poetry? This anthology suggests the answer is “yes.” A case or code helps to reveal what the law is. A treatise or law review article helps to reveal what the law should be. Poetry about the law, however, may be the single most effective way to connect with the human experience of the law – what it feels like to be the judge, juror, the attorney, the witness, or even the accused. In this anthology of poems, you will discover new connections between law and poetry. The anthology includes 56 poems – one for each state, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. Many are written by famous poets, while others may be unfamiliar. This anthology was inspired by Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address in 1861 where he states, “Continue to exercise all the express provisions of our National Constitution, and the Union will endure forever. . . .” As Editor Kristen Adams notes, one of the declared objects for ordaining and establishing the Constitution was “to form a more perfect Union.” With this goal in mind, this anthology uses the language from the Preamble to the Constitution as a structure and framework. The collection is separated into sections using language and themes from the Preamble. Each section seeks to challenge the reader to consider how the promises and ideals of the Preamble might be fulfilled by “the better angels of our nature,” and to illuminate opportunities for changes that might assist in reaching those ideals.