You weren’t there
your eyes never met hers
the blue ones full of fear
your ears never picked up
a request for reprieve
.
You weren’t there
if you were I trust
you wouldn’t soon forget
that look on her face
Forcibly Depleted
.
You weren’t there
replayed memories and settling fog
realization of shoplifted choices
.
You weren’t there
A beige couch
anxiety reverberating out of her fingers
reclaiming her voice
.
You weren’t there
Yet she trusted you
repay boldness with compassion
see sensitivity
.
Tell me how you can declare
those jagged words
“Did not occur”
Three words
turn the nightmare relived nightly
to a pathetic cry for attention
.
Tell me how you can scratch and claw
for the very voice of a hero
she stood on her shaky feet
declaring her pain
and you mocked her for it
.
“Did not occur”
Means to us
“I do not care”
.
Tell me how you can so calmly announce
Her pain is a lie
too bad she’s been carrying all this time
a pesky burden
Self inflicted
.
You say
“Did not occur”
I bet her oppressor says the same
.
Yet we push our shoulders back
and push our feet into the concrete
We will not stand down
lest this injustice
“Did not occur”
.
.
.
This poem is dedicated to my dear friend and roommate Hannah Hughes, whose bravery and fight against injustice is unmatched. My blood boils for the way she has been treated, and below is her story in her own words.
Kearci, this is amazing.
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