Yes, of course.

Those were the words I found in me.

In a space filled with women, it was a chorus of memory -
and I didn’t spill so much as drip those words to floor.

Yes, of course.

I inhaled alone, then exhaled the room.

In a pause filled with men, it was a shy breath of honesty -
a fortunate few breathed in and out by themselves.

Yes, of course.
Yes, of course.

Has anyone here experienced **** or ****** assault?

Yes, of course.

An old man begged outside the car
Under scorching heat
I didn’t know if by keeping the windows closed
I kept the cool in
Or kept the heat out
As  the smoke billowed around me
Blinded me from the poverty
And only coldness remained in my heart
Never to come out