The loud room, empty of everything

but the silent chatter of a million voices

all asking the same ridiculous

questions time and time again

I have come to understand as pointing blame,

apportioning censure, charge and guilt

my way because it is so much easier to

attribute condemnation to the man

who will only fight back when

someone he loves is in danger

but who will happily absorb any

bruising cut you snake out on his skin;

for the silent chatter that grows and fans out across the empty room