Compassion

Wednesday, October 16, 1991 - 10:00

Compassion

em = By Pauline Quinn

Hate filled eyes

& gleeful smiles

8 pairs of hands pulling clothes

Pulling hair and tearing flesh

Pulling legs apart

To search between

Does my struggle add to your fun?

My resistance give you pleasure?

This degradation and humiliation

Does not make you flinch

You do not react to my screams

Where is humanity? Your dignity?

Your shame?

As you degrade

You and I

And all of womanhood

By this disgusting act.
[Pauline Quinn, a nationalist inmate of Maghaberry Prison in Ireland, has been subjected to a number of strip searches, including one after returning to prison from her grandfather's funeral.]

From GLW issue 31