I STAND ALONE IN THE DARK by Rochelle Robinson

i stand alone in the dark

with deadly silence

we hold each other hostage and know that

nothing in the world is more

expensive than freedom

in chronic misery the quorum has

agreed to the deaths of our people

allowing the terrorism of domesticated

violence and sexual abuse to remain

unchecked and under/cover of deception

pain and suffering piles

like sewage in a drain

it’s seepage rank with despair

flies and vultures gather to feast on

globalized famine

poverty disguised as compassionate conservatism

while money hungry men walk away

from urinals with dirty hands

i try not to taste your words

drink your vocabulary in its

attempt to inebriate my mind

and misappropriate my passion

the breath of your memory

i must not inhale

while my own memory

lies buried like treasure at the bottom

of the sea

some continue their misson

to desecrate and dismiss my humanity,

through images and cinematic dis-prose

who i am is erased and degraded

until i am so invisible that i don’t exist

to others in my tribe

i am long forgotten by the

black men who used to love me

because i can be strong

men want to devour and destroy

my beauty, my power, my intelligence

and leave behind a shell that wanes

empty of my many attributes

til i am ugly, powerless, stupid

vunerable, insecure and depleted

you leave me hollow and empty

unsure of anything that once defined

my lyfe, my dignity swept under your

dirty rug of patriarchy where you do nothing to

protect me…i stand alone in the dark

Rochelle Robinson (aka RoRo) is a writer, activist, and grandmother living in Oakland . She is currently working on her poetry and essays, and in her spare time, takes long walks, and does yoga and meditation.

“I am pursuing a life of the mind and body in a more spiritual way than ever before. I am also closely examining what it is that I want to do with the next 50 years of my life, so I am excited about what’s ahead and actively seeking new adventures! I am learning to embrace silence, get reacquainted with myself, and being comfortable in my own skin.” - Rochelle Robinson 2008