DEAR RABBI, WHAT DO YOU SEE?
By G.S
By G.S
     | Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see my three earrings, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see my nose piercing, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see my tattoos, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see a girl with exposed skin, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see a boy with no tzitzis, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see a girl with a skirt too short, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see a boy with an uncovered head, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see a girl in pants, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see a boy with no peyos, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see my cigarettes, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see my physical scars, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see my emotional scars, or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see someone "off the derech," or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see someone "falling through the cracks," or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see another "lost soul," or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, What do you see? Do you see "someone to be pitied," or do you see me? Dear Rabbi, Have you ever asked yourself why? Why can't the police be told of suspected crimes, and to us you turn a blind eye? Dear Rabbi, Have you ever asked me why? Have you ever asked me why practically every night I cry? Dear Rabbi, Have you ever asked yourself why? Why do you protect sexual abusers, but the victims you terrify? Dear Rabbi, Have you ever asked me why? Have you ever asked me why I'm not a "good" girl or guy? Dear Rabbi, Have you ever asked yourself why? Why do so many horrific evils occur, and the perpetrators crimes you just cover up and deny? Dear Rabbi, Have you ever asked me why? Why would I, the victim, make up stories of sexual abuse? Rabbi, Why would I lie? - A Jewish survivor of sexual abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community (The last section of this poem was sadly inspired by the Weberman case in Williamsburg.) |   * * * * * * * *  * *  * * * *  * * * *   |
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