Almost there. We are within two days of the end. I’m glad you stuck with me, seeing it out. It’s hard to immerse yourself in the pain for so long, and I almost quit a couple of times this month, but that’s not who I am. I am not a quitter. Difficult, challenging - nevertheless, I persisted. So tonight, a poem drawn from the reality of court cases. I wish it were fantasy.

A CLEAR OFFENSE

It’s a clear offense.

I reject.
I challenge.
I ignore.
I dissent.

The woman was raped.

I reject.
I challenge.
I ignore.
I dissent.

She was able to identify her attacker.

I reject.
I challenge.
I ignore.
I dissent.

He admitted he forced her.

I reject.
I challenge.
I ignore.
I dissent.

Let me clarify – he raped her.

I reject.
I challenge.
I ignore.
I dissent.

How can you reject?
How can you challenge?
How can you ignore?
How can you dissent?
He raped her.
He nearly killed her.
He laughs now, watching us fight.

We can’t ruin his life.
Ruin his life
Over a small mistake.
Because of twenty minutes
In which he did not behave.

A small mistake?
It was rape.

I reject.
I challenge.
I ignore.
I dissent.
We can’t ruin his life.

So you ruin hers, instead.