"Permission to Speak."

Throughout the Judicial court proceedings, others spoke about her, around her, and for her. "Permission to Speak." is both a courtroom moment and a reclamation of voice - a response to what was said while she was forced to remain silent, and a declaration of her right to finally speak for herself.

A powerful unflinching memoir in verse, this collection contains the author's actual victim impact statement delivered in court on the day of her assailant's sentencing on January 16, 2026. Also in...