Poetry and Writes

Kavanaugh and Catcalls (POEM)

I've been watching a lot of the news lately.
My mother keeps exclaiming from the other room.
I ask her what she's found this time.
She tells me about Brett Kavanaugh.
She tells me, holding my gaze, with tears in her eyes
That if any man corners me, or makes me feel unsafe,
To tell someone.
Just tell someone.
No matter what age I am, no matter which people are in my life,
I cannot stay silent.
She says that if someone catcalls me,
I should not respond.
I should keep my head down and walk away quickly.
If I happen to be carrying something at the moment,
Hold it tighter.
Before I go on walks at night,
Drink lots of water.
If we call for help we must be heard.
But I hope with all of my heart, and all of my voice,
And with all of the linked hands in the world,
That we won't have to take these precautions much longer.

NOTE: I am not saying all men are corrupt. This is not my point, nor should it be anyone else's. Generalizing gender was not my intent.

--KingfisherBirdLady