CW: SV
to call my rape the incident
and not to dwell on details
like the way the sidewalk
rushed up to meet my face
imprinted its many histories
The judge, she says, appreciates generosity
so tell him that afterward
the man rested
his hot palm on my hair
how grateful I was for the gesture
Remember
to call the years since the incident
a journey
toward forgiveness
Say forgiveness
is a gift I give myself
Don’t tell the judge
that before this gift
I dreamed of appearing behind the man
stealthily so he might mistake
my breath for his
How my heart kicked harder
as his quickened
Say hate poisons
and end there
Don’t tell the judge how I savor
that poison
Honey on the tongue
Tina Barry is the author of I Tell Henrietta (Aim Higher, Inc., 2024), Beautiful Raft and Mall Flower (Big Table Publishing). Her writing can be found in Rattle, Verse Daily, ONE ART, SWWIM, The Best Small Fictions 2020 and 2016, 100 Word Story and elsewhere. Tina’s poetry and short stories have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, and Best Microfiction. She teaches poetry and short fiction at the Poetry Barn and Writers.com. Tina’s favorite revenge moment is when the odious Commander Fred of The Handmaid’s Tale series meets his much-deserved and brutal end.
