'Thinking Of Berky' By William Stafford

In “Thinking of Berky” by William Stafford, the speaker discusses the life of Berky who is a troubled girl seeking for help. Stafford describes her home background and the difficulties that are revolving around her. Through the use of Berky’s story, Stafford is able to depict his opinion on the justice system’s lack of effort and how the society should take responsibility to defend human justice.
Throughout the poem, the speaker gives the impression that the justice system within the nation is invalid, therefore it impacts negatively. Since the government is not assisting the citizens as much as they should, the people－society, have to take actions into their own hands. For instance, Stafford asserts, “justice will take us millions of intricate

moves” (Stafford 18), indicating the long process behind the justice system. Due to the extensive amount of time it takes, it might become too late to save the victim; therefore, we as citizens have to get out of our comfort zones to help those in need. This quote also relates to Berky because she is the victim that has to endure the long process of the justice system and the motionless, ignorant society. In addition, Stafford writes, “Sirens will hunt down Berky, you survivors in your beds, listening through the night, so far and good” (Stafford 19-20). The survivors in this case is the society who are in safety that do not want to take actions. He is trying to make the point that we cannot stay in a safe place all the time. In the poem, Stafford includes, “We live in an occupied country, misunderstood” (Stafford 15). This not only shows the corruption of the government, but also how it affects the justice system. We do not have a choice in the actions we make which is why we do not help others. We are afraid to stand up to the government and do something they should have done themselves.
In conclusion, William Stafford connotes the justice system as an unfair service to victims in need of help. Since the justice system cannot give help to the victim, society has to do its moral duty to rescue them.