calm yourself
drink that glass of water
this time don't assume that you are drowning

remember your childhood
how your 4 year old self is staring back at you
tell her she is worth it
rip the words out of your throat and free it from that prison
now don't assume that you are drowning

when you were young you were too fragile to make a stand
your hand trembles as the cold touch of a stranger's hand invades your skin
you realized you hate it when people touch you

you can't remember the first time you got cat called
but the words they said never left your brain since then
it repeats and repeats itself
without your permission

your father looks at you disapprovingly
when you first learned how to look pretty in a dress
you are trying to tell him that it doesn't matter
any kind clothing that will cover my skin is no exception
that many times over when im wearing my school uniform
is the majority where strangers that i happen to pass by at streets tried to touch my body

your mother explains that you have to keep it safe
but you know that safe is an illusion

that you will never be assured of your safety
for as long as men have eyes like daggers
and words that rolls off their tongue like its meant to bring you down

you are underwater now
their words will always reach you
but your voice will invade so much space
you would learn how to  fight back

someday you will stop finding comfort in trying to drown your sorrows