In My Own Defense Poem by Robin Bennett

I'm sorry, I whispered
in a unsettled tone-
to the silence of marble
statues empty as death.
Humanity, is lost
on the heartless.
Their costumes of
long black robes
judge me, before
I even begin
to speak.

No visitors fill
the court to
witness the trial.
Wooden benches
are too jagged
for white painted
society. Good thing
I am quite successful
at talking to
myself. As usual
it falls on tainted
deaf ears. In closing,
I announce to
the wigged out judge-
" The defense needs
a rest."

Seldom is it that
you never know
right from wrong.
My face still
still shows the
handprint of
when you tried to
slap righteousness
into me.