On a YouTube video about Newcastle, England
a young man is arguing with the police in the streets

I can see he’s close to getting arrested and thrown in jail
for his arguing and hassling the police

a pretty young woman
presumably his girlfriend

puts her hands gently on his shoulders
and softly implores him to cease

his foolish, stubborn behavior
her touch, her words, like a bomb diffuser

he settles down, mellows out a bit
stops arguing with the police

as if he got a reprieve
he’s able to work away without being arrested

thanks to his loving, caring girlfriend’s intersession
sometimes a good woman is better than a lawyer.

Bob Boyd