He sits
beside me
drawing circles
with his finger tips
all over
my body-

He kisses
my neck
shoulder
stomach
waist
hips
and then
to my surprise
he runs his finer
along the inside of my thigh
not sexually
as you may assume

"What are these?"
he asks with wonder
in his eyes
"...Stretch marks"
embarrassed
I try to cover them

He moves my hand
and kisses
the three marks
along my thigh

He comes up to kiss me
and whispers
"Stretch marks
scars
beauty marks
scratches.
I love them all."

For once
I felt beautiful
and fell deeper
in love
than I ever thought
one could.

you who stand
in the shadows
what makes you think
    for
               a
       second
that what you're doing is okay?

you do not gain power
over me
        her
        him
        anyone
by standing in the shadows
calling to those
who walk the streets

what we wear
does not affect you
...surprised?
the fact that I wore a  dress
skirt
shorts
jeans
sweatpants
heels
sneakers
CLOTHING
does not
give you the right
to comment on my legs
       ***
       stomach
         chest
      BODY
because all you are
is a voice in the shadows

so do not whisper
     yell
     grab
     touch
    OUR BODIES

for in the shadows
is where you are meant to stay.