Things left in my yard, tied to trees,
people following at the zoo.

The therapist whose barn burned down
with horses lost, my records too.

The strange comment from good doctor
six months on, his discomfort clear.

Silent and hate-filled voice messages
meant to tear down, taunt, instill fear.

The work I loved that disappeared,
the way they acted, commandeered.

The way church banished me without
qualms or second thought for my child

And what they said to his father,
how they killed his spirit, then smiled.

How group denied me membership,
suggesting I consider why,

Without further comment, then said
perhaps I ought "to verify."

The insistence I sign papers
"to protect my child just in case";

How he logged his time invested,
kept it in a file in briefcase.

The way after ten years away
from church, new pastor spoke his prayer.

How the transformers blew, one was
tampered with... and the strange man’s stare.

Child’s school that cited some presumed

"instability" as reason

To deny. When provided with
evidence of income and home

Ownership, still proclaimed they had
“reason to believe,” called it done. 

Decades of rounds of interviews,
then lost opportunity.

A client’s odd comment, question,
quick shift to distance or pity.

False and deceptive projects sent,
not to mention the energies.

Supposed friend’s silence held and
so many other memories.