Forensic Medical

Forced to wait eight hours because my blood alcohol level was too high

Eight hours without a shower

Eight hours without being touched

Lest we disturb any evidence

Then the backless gown

And the cold table

And the cop with a smirk

Gathering pieces of me in plastic bags

Each abrasion

Each bruise

Each angle

Photographed and logged for

A profile of what they call bad luck

And the questions

Again with the questions

What were you wearing?

What were you thinking?

Did you consider how much you were drinking?

While the doctor swabbed and sighed, I retorted

Why does that matter?

Who do they think they are?

How come they shaved my pubic hair?

Three hours of examination of my flesh

And for what?

A collection of samples, shelved

Along with my case

Nothing more than a holding pen for dust and absent justice