step one: find yourself a dark spot
like a school bus
late at night
where no one can see
remember, predators are cowards
they use the cover of shadows
to disguise their nature
by day, the senior guiding you through school
by night, the monster under your bed
step two: think you're safe
believe the teacher
at the front of the bus
can protect you
have a misplaced sense of security
in the girl two seats away
who turned out to be sleeping the whole time
let your naivety shield you from the reality
where women are only valued
as food for men
step three: muffle your screams
as your innocence is traded
for his temporary pleasure
when rough hands
meet
your fragile body
shattering the sculpture that used to be you
step four: explain it all away
write him the list of excuses
he never cared to give
"it was an accident"
or
"he didn't mean it"
or
"it was my fault"
rationalize the irrational
give reason to your trauma
humanize the demon your best friend is still crushing on
step five: realize
you never really could catch a predator
because
he knew your silence would protect him all along
who would believe you anyway?
you end up apologizing for the inconvenience
even though the scars he left mean you can
never look at men the same,
never feel comfortable in your skin,
never be free of the burning in your chest
none of that matters
after all, you were asking for it
May 13
May 13, 2026 at 11:32 AM UTC
step one: find yourself a dark spot
like a school bus
late at night
where no one can see
remember, predators are cowards
they use the cover of shadows
to disguise their nature
by day, the senior guiding you through school
by night, the monster under your bed
step two: think you're safe
believe the teacher
at the front of the bus
can protect you
have a misplaced sense of security
in the girl two seats away
who turned out to be sleeping the whole time
let your naivety shield you from the reality
where women are only valued
as food for men
step three: muffle your screams
as your innocence is traded
for his temporary pleasure
when rough hands
meet
your fragile body
shattering the sculpture that used to be you
step four: explain it all away
write him the list of excuses
he never cared to give
"it was an accident"
or
"he didn't mean it"
or
"it was my fault"
rationalize the irrational
give reason to your trauma
humanize the demon your best friend is still crushing on
step five: realize
you never really could catch a predator
because
he knew your silence would protect him all along
who would believe you anyway?
you end up apologizing for the inconvenience
even though the scars he left mean you can
never look at men the same,
never feel comfortable in your skin,
never be free of the burning in your chest
none of that matters
after all, you were asking for it
Request permission to use this poem