Did your mother ever tell you
When you were young,
To scream fire
Instead of ****
Because it would get a better result?

Mine did.

It is the things I write poems about
The injustices done to children
Subtleties that teach us our worth
Sexism at its root.

But recently
A not-so-coincidental turn of events
I've been screaming ****** assault.

Not quite ****,
But it tastes just about as bitter
Leaving my lips
Bile bubbling in my throat.

But mom.
God, mom.
You were right.

Because *nobody is listening.