Ruby Freeman - Say Her Name

and let it sink in...
because she

represents
under witness
protection

because she was
more like Peter
than Judas
or Jesus

on election night
in a scheme

too much like
cowards parting
a stolen lamb

from our temple

Lady Liberty’s
Body Politic

running ballots
over and over

in secrecy
the dead of night’s
deception

a sacred
pact of truth
desecrated

but not in vain
as she finds the
true meaning
of her name

Not as a slave holder
to her trusting peers

but allowing
herself to be
a witness

to what we
have already seen