the word “no”
holds a power that many don’t quite realize

two letters
one syllable
it’s so simple isn’t it?
and yet that tiny little word
could’ve changed everything

i never said “no”
i didn’t want it
but i didn’t say “no”

so that makes it okay, right?
that makes it my fault
that makes it consensual
that makes it legal
at least that’s what everyone tells me

so why does it still haunt me at night?
and plague me with neverending nightmares

it’s been over a year now
since the last incident
but i still feel it in my skin
i try to scrub off the dirt, the shame, the guilt
but it’s very set on staying

and i know that no matter how much it haunts me
they’ve probably forgotten by now
moved on, are living better lives
they’ll never know the suffering i’ve gone through
they’ll have no repercussions

but it’s all okay
because i never said “no”