Sweetheart is Not a Name

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to the women that face catcalling on the daily. You are braver than I.

Sweetheart is not a Name

You there

Little boy

Wearing adult clothes

Trying to weave melodies that make me

Fall with open limbs

But you fall short

calling me "Sweetheart"

Sweetheart is not a name

You don't deserve my sweetness

And when you try to take it without asking

It makes me anything but sweet

Sweetheart is not a name

Especially from a predator like you

Eyes wide with hands and teeth made to tear flesh

Tear my sweetness from me

Take my smile, force it from me

Sweetheart is not a name

It is not my name

Neither are the melodies you weave

I don't need them

I make melodies all on my own

They tell of the terror of walking home at night

The ways I dress my body like a shield of armor

Hold my keys in my fist teeth out

Never putting my drink down at parties

The smell of pepper spray in the air

I hope of days where no one is calling me 'Sweetheart'

You there,

Little boy

Mommy's over there calling for you to come home for supper

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