girls you trafficked, raped, abused
many of them on the younger side
women you sold, assaulted, and used
many of them on the younger side
lies you told, power you wield
and the privilege that seals
all those wretched, subversive deals
many of them on the younger side
he liked beautiful women just like you
many of them on the younger side
and what is left for us to do
receiving more dismaying news
petulance reigns and we’re confused
not the behavior that we’d choose
the more we know the more we lose
for many of them on the younger side
questions wreath the way you died —
your twice-attempted suicide
both times while jailed, your first time failed
the second protects secrets locked inside
of those who like them on the younger side
many of them on the younger side
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Akua Lezli Hope, wisdom seeker, is a creator who uses sound, words, fiber, glass, metal, handmade paper and wire to create poems, patterns, stories, music, ornaments, adornments, sculpture and peace whenever possible. Her collection, THEM GONE, was published by The Word Works, 2018.
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