I fall apart when men smile at me
I fall apart in grocery stores
On-street corners
I just have to remind myself
That they don’t want anything from me
They’re just being nice
This trauma has a grip on me
And just won’t let go
A venomous snake coiled around its prey
Suffocating me until I can’t breathe
Screaming “everything is okay”
When it’s not
You’re not there anymore
You’re in the grocery store
You’re not a scared little girl anymore