At age 7, I was guilty
when I accepted an invitation
to go into the apartment of a neighbor
He smelled of beer as he groped me.
At age 10, I was guilty
when I walked home too late
because I missed the train
He popped out of the bushes
exposing himself.
At age 12, I was guilty
when my uncle forced
tongue into my mouth
because I could not
get away.
At age 14, I was guilty
when my uncle forced
me to sit on his lap
while in my bathing suit
and I ran away from home.
At age 16, I was guilty
when my uncle convinced
everyone that I was a liar
and I quit school.
At age 18, I was guilty
when I gave birth to
my first child,
because I was ignorant.
At age 20, I was guilty
when I saw the cardiologist
in the reflection of a lamp
******* and the
police laughed at my report.
At age 30, I was guilty
when my employer
trapped me in the elevator
to ***** me, because I
was his subserviant.
At age 36, I was guilty
when I earned jujitsu honors
but risked going to jail
for defending myself.
At age 70, I was guilty
when a neighbor brought
me fruit and grabbed my
breast, because I was alone.
At age 72, I am guilty
of being a ferule woman
for 50 years and for
NOT be silent!
How many times must a woman be guilty for her existence?