Say Her Name, Parts I and II
Say Her Name, Part I, a Poem by Susan Wenzel
They say they can’t say her name because
they can’t prove if she was murdered on tribal land or not.
They say they can’t say her name because
they aren’t sure whose jurisdiction has the responsibility to search.
They say they can’t say her name because
they don’t know how long or even if she is really gone.
They say they can’t say her name because
they didn’t listen when she reported the abuse…or couldn’t.
They say they can’t say her name because
she has been designated and marked as “habitual runaway,” “status unknown,” “racial misclassification,” “prostitute,” “alcoholic,” or “addict.”
They say they can’t say her name because
they shift accountability and point their fingers at each other, from one side to the other, across the gulch, while she slips through and is lost in the void.
They say they can’t say her name
But I will...
Say Her Name, Part II, a Found Art piece by Susan Wenzel
 |
Originally Published: March 10, 2023 in https://www.valiantscribe.com/post/say-her-name-part-i-a-poem-by-susan-wenzel