Hey, Joe

I shout the truth and defy you to say I am lying.
I speak in the name of justice,
there is no pretty picture on the page,
and it doesn’t matter if my rhythm is awry.
My words don’t have to flow gently
or make my readers sway and dream.
This time my poem doesn’t need to rhyme.

I shout the truth and defy you to say I am lying.
You played dirty games and isolated my beloved child.
You told lies to get your way.
You sweet-talked us then you beat my daughter
because you couldn’t own her.
You ground her face into sharp staples on your naked floor,
then you tried to break her neck.
This time my poem doesn’t need to rhyme.

I shout the truth and defy you to say I am lying.
You say she did it to herself, but nobody believes you.
The state of her face and head stand witness.
Maybe you want me to believe you are ill,
and your viscious attack was the act
of an unconscious side of your personality,
but it won’t work.
This time my poem doesn’t need to rhyme.

I shout the truth and defy you to say I am wrong.
In your rage, you thought to destroy her,
but you failed. Her wounds will be healed
by her own strength, and by endless love.
You only destroyed yourself.
Chemicals may sometimes silence
the screaming in your head to mere murmeration,
but like the noise from a flock of starlings,
the rumblings will always return.
You will not escape them.
This time my poem doesn’t need to rhyme.

I shout the truth and defy you to say I am wrong.
I speak in the name of justice.
There is no pretty picture on the page,
and it doesn’t matter that my rhythm is awry.
My words don’t have to flow gently
or make my readers dreamily sway.
My friends will all agree;
this time my poem doesn’t need to rhyme.
Hey, Joe,
You have incited my wrath, and I repeat;
this time my poem doesn’t need to rhyme.
I speak out against your heinous crime, and that is enough.

Written for The Daily Post #Murmuration

©Jane Paterson Basil