If You Were Me
How can you tell me not to judge
when you have never feared
imminent rape?
How can you say, “You will destroy his life” when
I have heard that anger before
from an abusive alcoholic man
declaring his innocence in a voice
the once again overpowered mine?
What about her life
her innocence
her truth
her bravery
when she knew it would
destroy her?
Do you wake, shake, sweat
as he returns again and again in your dreams?
Do you walk faster at night to your car
in the dark parking garage
look over your shoulder
each time you enter an elevator?
Have you posed for a picture with your students
in our country’s capital
with a senator you admired
then felt a hand where it didn’t belong
told yourself you imagined it
or he didn’t mean it
learned better later
My truth is my truth
I will shout it even as his courts
hold heavy fingers on Justice’s scales
empower and excuse rich white men
uphold the disenfranchisement
of We the People
Damn. Poetry is a good way to work through anger, but I had no idea how much I needed to do this.
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The Poetry and Prose of Barbara Huntington 
Powerful words. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you.
Glad you wrote this one! I’ve had one rolling around in my head on the same subject but didn’t sit down and write it. Powerful line: “hold heavy fingers on Justice’s scales”. Thanks, Barbara. xoA
Thank you.
It’s so hard to think that people just don’t get it, all the little things, day- to – day that inhibit our sense of freedom and self. Makes me damn mad. You too, I see. 🙂
🌻
Tried to post this on Facebook and they said I was abusive and now can’t post on Facebook at all.