Neuro Logical
Ofglen Self-Reflects in Canada, a persona poem – see: "The Handmaid’s Tale" - Hailey Urena
Before my uterus was fruitful, my sole
I was abducted purpose being to create life
I was a wife, a mother,
a professor,
It’s hard to remember exactly
who I was, and I know
I’ll never be the same.
But I remember being allowed to speak,
and read, and learn without
the fear of losing a limb
I was able to love my life,
And free to love my wife—
I knew my son.
I had students, and family,
And friends, and colleagues.
I was Emily. Dr. Emily Malek.
Then,
Gilead Stole my name and my sanity,
Compromised my health,
And cut out my pleasure,
I had no identity other than
being the property of
a Commander.
To them, I was not human,
I was a handmaid.
And I started to believe them—
I was not Emily,
I was Ofglen, or Ofstephen,
or Ofanyotherwhiteman.
I was only as worthy as
I may not know who I am,
But I do know who I will never be again.