Me Too: A Poem

For the girl on the bus using her headphones

to drown out the advancements of the man

as well as his disgusting words and tones

 

For the woman walking late at night

With her keys spread as a weapon

In case she needs to be prepared for a fight.

 

For the mother who doesn’t sleep and is always tired,

Because her husband thought that a wedding ring

Meant a yes was never required

 

For the child who doesn’t like her own reflection

Because she was betrayed and broken

By the man she looked to for protection.

 

For the college student who is now failing her class

Because she just went out for a good time

But the second she turned her head, a drug was slipped into her glass

 

For the teenager walking home from work at night

Talking on her phone to look like someone

would notice if someone grabbed her too tight

 

For my friend who said no more than once

But because it was her boyfriend

It didn’t matter since it was his touch

 

For the girls who are taught to keep it under the table

Because being silent about it is better

Than making people uncomfortable

 

For the girls who tried to do everything they could

But because they didn’t scream no or fight back

It was their fault and were up to no good

 

For my women who were told it wasn’t rape

Because they were drunk, they dressed slutty,

Or there was no proof on tape.

 

For my women who didn’t report the crime

Because they were terrified and broken

And felt it would be a waste of time

 

For my ladies fighting the aftermath

That comes with assault, like PTSD, anxiety, and depression

Because of some terrible human’s wrath.

 

For me, the young woman who walks in fear

Every day after three men thought her

Body was theirs just because it was here

 

For every woman who is harassed

For every woman who will be harassed

For every woman who has been assaulted

For every woman who will be assaulted

For every woman who has been raped

For every woman who will be raped

 

This is for you.

#Metoo

 

–Katie

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