Jury Duty

Assembled in six lines of six people each
we waited outside the courtroom.
All rise! the bailiff bellowed
and we filed in single file.

Identity theft!
This was a case of identity theft
involving bank fraud
conspiracy
and two black women.
Fury arose within me
remembering Ron
and the 22 charge accounts his caregiver opened in his name.

I looked at those two women
and a part of me turned to steel.
I was freshly outraged on Ron's behalf.

I realized I was too emotional to serve on this jury panel.
I finally told the judge.
It was no surprise when they passed over me
and the three white men who sat with me.

I don't consider myself a racist.
I voted for Obama.
But something about those two black women
triggered racism within me
and I was out for blood.

I'm not sure what to do with this
or where to go with it.
I can only lift my woundedness to God
and pray for God's healing mercy.