the morning after

"no one heard me"

i screamed
until my lungs ached
but no one heard me
i whispered
in their ears
but they told me to raise my voice

perhaps if i was dead
you might finally read this poem
listen to what i was saying
swallow guilty saliva
as you rise to start claiming
will i then become
your best friend
your close friend
your cousin
your classmate
your girlfriend?

shut up
and listen