"The Way It Is"

I carry my keys between my knuckles,
In case I need a weapon.
I can’t walk alone, late at night,
For fear of being threatened.

I’ve faked phone calls and friendships,
Because “that guy’s been watching you all night”.
I can’t go to the restroom alone,
And can never leave the protection of a street light.

I must cover my skin, even in the hottest weather,

when shorts are no longer clothing, but “distractions”.

A boy’s education is more valuable than my own,

Yet, they’re never taught to mind their actions.

Unattended drinks are never safe,

And neither are you.
I live paranoid and fearful,
Yet all I can do is be careful, and make do.

I learned at a young age that my body wasn’t my own,
that boys hurt me because they like me.
“Boys will be Boys”, they say,

but I keep my head down, politely disagree.​

And, my fear is not because of an isolated incident,
but because every woman I know is a victim.
My friends and I are catcalled and groped,
but no one believes us, “your claims contradict him”.

I watch as woman after woman comes forward,

something I could never do.

They are brave and courageous,

openly sharing what they’ve gone through.

But it’s not enough, never enough,

and she is left criticized and confused.

After all, rape is the only crime

where the victim becomes the accused.