Beyond the First Whereas

<p><strong><em>Beyond the First Whereas </em>is a witty poignant and refreshingly original poetic journey through the stages of a lawyer's life from the first tentative steps toward law school to the triumphs trials and quiet revelations of practice.</strong></p><p></p><p>With humor insight and emotional resonance Mark Halliwell Smith captures the moments that shape a lawyer's path: the pressure of the LSAT the camaraderie of study groups the sting of a bad cold call the rush of closing a deal and the personal costs that sometimes come with professional success.</p><p></p><p>Whether you're a seasoned attorney a law student or simply someone who loves poetry that plays with form and meaning this collection invites you to reflect smile and see the law as a lawyer sees it heart and soul (and in iambic tetrameter).</p><p></p><p>WHEREAS a lawyer's life unfolds</p><p>In cautious steps with borrowed grace</p><p>From law school dreams the young heart holds</p><p>To battles fought with poise and pace.</p><p></p><p></p><p>WHEREAS the LSAT's quiet dread</p><p>The cold call's sting the study grind</p><p>Give way to briefs and deals ahead</p><p>And quiet truths we come to find.</p><p></p><p>WHEREAS the law can lift and bruise</p><p>Its gains hard-earned its pains not small</p><p>Yet even when the heart must lose</p><p>There's purpose rising through it all.</p><p></p><p>WHEREAS these verses dare to show</p><p>The human side beneath the robe.</p><p>With wit and warmth they let us know</p><p>The lawyer's life around the globe.</p><p></p><p>NOW THEREFORE let the reader see:</p><p>This book's not just for courts and class;</p><p>It charts my soul's own quiet plea</p><p>To delve beyond the first WHEREAS.</p><p></p>