my father raised me then left
leaving me to live off family and friends
i had never asked for too much
until i realized i didn’t have enough
poverty opened my eyes
my mother putting away the shoes i couldn’t buy
learning to speak i could not shut my mouth
yet learning to listen everyone’s words seemed loud
hidden meanings so abstract
no means no, my aunt taught me
she also taught me don’t throw a fit
so when a boy touched me without permission
i didn’t know what to do but stay quiet
i didn’t say no and i didn’t say yes
maybe i shouldn’t have worn that dress
how was i supposed to know he would harm me
my family trusted him, they know best
and the one i trusted said it was my fault
so i continued to lie to everyone
including myself, all along
what will they say
what will they think
my mother and father
my brothers and sisters
i don’t know how to explain all the melancholy i come with
from that one regretful day leaving me ashamed and alone on the pavement.