you tell your six year old daughter
all about stranger danger.
“don’t get into a car
with someone you don’t know.”
“don’t listen if they say
that they have a puppy
or candy or something fun.
they don’t.”
your six year old daughter
knows exactly what to do
if she is ever approached or touched
by a strange, unknown man.
but does she know what to do
if the man who touches her
has a seat at the Thanksgiving table?
you tell your thirteen year old daughter
that someone who she loves
should never hit her.
“if punches are thrown, leave.”
“use that can of pepper spray.”
“if you have to hit back,
aim for the eyes, or the groin,
or anywhere weak.”
“run away.”
your thirteen year old daughter
knows to never let a man hit her.
but if he yells at her,
and degrades her, and scares her,
and maybe even grabs her
but not quite hard enough
to leave a bruise, that is still abuse.
did you tell her that?
does she know what to do
if he doesn’t leave any marks
and tells her over and over again
that he’s sorry?
you tell your sixteen year old daughter
to yell “fire!” instead of “****!”
“people will care more
about the well-being
of their own property
than they will about your life.”
“they will come running,
but only if the situation
affects them too.”
your sixteen year old daughter
knows that people can be selfish,
and if they don’t want to see something,
they’ll simply turn the other way.
but there is good in this world too.
there are people who will care
and who will love her
and who she can trust.
did you tell her that?
if she stops believing in love
and genuine people,
does she know what to do?
or will she settle for the first man
who gives her any attention,
thinking that he is all
she will ever find?
you tell your twenty-four year old daughter
that one day, you hope
her future is beautiful.
“marry an amazing man.”
“have grandchildren.”
“live happily.”
when you tell her this,
you unintentionally add
your hope for her happiness
at the very end of your sentence,
almost like an afterthought.
your twenty-four year old daughter
wants to get married
and live in a nice house
and give you grandchildren.
but does she know to put herself first?
or will she marry a man because
she thinks he wants her to,
and have grandchildren
because she thinks that’s what you want?
does she know that
she has her own voice?
did you tell her that
she doesn’t need anyone
other than herself
to find happiness?
