poems

What does it mean to be a woman?

What does it mean to be a woman? It means being confident with yourself, helping out other women, showing that you're powerful. Unfortunately, it also means fearing for your safety. You can say women are dramatic, and that without men who would we have to protect us, but I wouldn't need to carry pepper spray on me if it wasn't for men. The first memory I have of being aware men were staring at me is when I was 15. I so evidently looked like a child, but yet grown men were staring at my ass as I would walk away. I get scared filling my car with gas at night when I get off work, not because I'm scared of the dark or because scared I'm gonna get robbed, but because I've had men catcall me, follow me into the store, and watch me as I get into my car, as they're staring trying to learn. But they're not trying to learn me, or my facial features, they're staring to learn my license plate, and every evident thing on my car, they're trying to learn which way I'm going and if they think I'm going home alone or not. They're trying to learn my body so I'm burned into their memory for later. They try to learn if I'd let them hit or if they should quit, except they never quit. They try and try and try, and if it wasn't for harassment laws I'm sure they'd try until they die. Now, we have politicians making laws about my body and whether or not I can receive basic health care and people victim-blaming the women who are assaulted. It's a struggle every day waking up wondering what rights of mine they're gonna take away. My friends and I regularly talk about how we'd fight off a guy, or if we'd just comply. I've heard multiple people say that they wouldn't put up a fight, because it'd cost them their life, and as sad as it seems to say it, I think I'd also just take it. There isn't a single bit of reasoning that would make me change that statement, as sad as it sounds to say it. The second you get assaulted or attacked though, the first thing people ask is "Why were you acting like a hoe?" Yet somehow, becoming a woman is portrayed as a beautiful experience until there's political interference. All of this is what it means to be a woman.

Authors Note: hey everyone! its been a minute. life has been so chaotic lately so I haven't really had the time to write. however, I am moving into a new place, and everything lease seems to be going well, so hopefully more poems soon!!! on a serious note though, the results of this election are extremely disappointing. Now the rights and regulations of my body are to be debated by men who don't have a damn clue what it's like. also, some men are weird and make me extremely uncomfortable. I posted a tiktok earlier and it was a glow-up vid, and some weird guy left a comment trying to hit on me, and the catcalling has been insane lately. but to change the subject we officially hit #1 in beginner poetry so yay!!!!!! (imagine me dancing w excitement here) anyways, have a good day/night, actually, just try to have a good existence, and stay safe out there!

11/07/24