EVIDENCE

Hairs pulled from root
in five different places.
Inside of cheek
scraped with a cardboard blade
ten times.
Sterile swab run between tooth
and gum, back and forth
five times.
Body inspected for bruises,
scratches, human bites,
pubic hairs plucked
and combed onto white papers.
Secret places that were taken get
cultured for seeds, bringing tears,
and memories best forgotten.
Story replayed by voice, in mind
for nurse,
for counselor,
for doctor,
for investigator.

Aleathia Drehmer is a writer who has spent the first two and half decades of her life moving around America with her family like a band of gypsies. She now finds herself settled in the village of Painted Post, NY with her darling daughter and their crazy cat Carrot. She is co-founder and co-editor of Full of Crow Press (www.fullofcrow.com) and a staff member of The Guild of the Outsider Writers. Her work can be found in print and online in these fine journals: Silenced Press, Laura Hird Showcase, Cause & Effect, The Cerebral Catalyst, Word Riot, Erbacce, Cherry Bleeds, Mystery Island, Debris, and Beat the Dust.