As a female,
I am seemingly
always

In danger of
Battery,
****** assault.

Yes.

I shouldn't
Pump gas alone at night.
Or glance at strangers.

Yes.

I should
Keep my eyes down.
Stay away from isolated areas.

Yes.

I shouldn't
Walk down an alley
Even if it's a shorter.

Yes.

I should
Keep my pepper spray with me.
Go out of my way for you.

Yes.

Lest I lose my chastity,
What a shame that would be.
How worthless could I be.

Yes.

I  am always
In danger of
Battery,
****** assault.

But aren't we all, my dear?

You see, theres something
They don't know about me.

No.

They won't know
about the blinding rage
Which fills me on the chance that I see a bully.

No.

The rage that my mother
Had to teach me
To keep in check.

No.

They just simply don't
understand
Those years and years of
Classes which might have kept me thin.

No.
They just simply don't
understand

No.

Even though
I am indeed female.
Fragile
Frail
And fertile.

No.

Though they might know
I'm only 5'2.
I'm ripe for the taking
(If they watched my weekly grocery trips well.)

No.

You see,
I stopped growing when I was nine
So trust me,

I have years of rage
Built.
Bubbling.
Waiting.

No.

You could even say,
I've been waiting
For the chance

To claw your eyes from seeing
Those you might think to be weak.

To scar you in your ivory tower.
Lest you ever feel safe in the dark again.

To spear you like you'd
hoped I'd let you pierce me.

You see, sir.
I genuinely don't care who you are.
No means no.
And no is a no.

So, sir.
I just needed you to
Step down.

Yes.
I was waiting.

And look,
Now we're on even ground.