1.
i am afraid of men touching my wrists
Now.

i listened to myself lie to my mother about where these bruises came from.
She shook her head and told me to be careful,
This world is not made for girls who want to keep up with the boys.

This world is not made for girls,
He says,
Who don't sleep over. This world is not made for girls who don't
Ever listen.

i kept my nose intact with one hand while the other held his face and i knew i didn't belong here.
i broke knuckles on the doorframe.

2.
i just wanted to be honest with the man i danced with.
It's not you, it's always me.