Tw: This poem touches heavily on themes of sexual assault and violence against women, plus some strong language.
They teach us from girlhood,
Don't walk home alone after dark.
Carry your keys between your fingers
Use them as a weapon if you have to
Like we're goddamn Wolverine.
If you feel someone following
Pretend you're on the phone
Give the creep a fake number
Don't leave your drink alone.
Cover your body,
But that doesn't always work.
And when a man dares,
They assume it's our fault.
"What was she wearing" they ask,
Like it's our own damn fault.
We live our lives in fear,
Danger all around,
But we're still saddled with the blame.
"Not all men", they cry,
And we know that's true,
But can we afford to take that chance?
Many men have seemed like good guys,
But transformed in a moment,
Showing a crueler face,
Like Dr. Jekyll drinking the potion
And turning into Mr. Hyde.
A woman comes forward
About an assault that happened
When she was a girl.
"It's been so long" they cried,
"Why didn't you report him then?"
She wanted to,
But she knew you wouldn't believe her.
Our own bodies aren't ours,
We're treated like livestock.
Not all men, we know,
But enough of them for us to fear them all,
Because we never know which ones are truly good.
Not all men,
That refrain of denial,
But we all know if you spout those words,
You're one of the ones we talk about.
