Stirring the Tide @stirringthetide

Me too,
I’ve been groped on the subway, and goggled at by strange men.
Catcalled in all the ways, and all the ways I’d pretend.

I’d tell myself, “Just keep moving,” while walking alone,
minding my own business, on my way home.

On the way to my safe place, to lay in my bed,
with my keys on my wrist, and mace in my hand.
Finger on the trigger — just in case they would linger.

How would I fight them?
Do you think that I can?
Would I tell them to stop?
Could I fight off a man?

Do you think they would listen?
Could I tell them I’m uncomfortable,
and that I wish that they wouldn’t?

Uncomfortable like when a family-friend found his hand down my bikini.
When we were in the deep end of the ocean, and no one else could see me.

I had a boyfriend, I told him.
“I’m sorry, gee,”
As if a boyfriend is the only thing to stop him.

Because he couldn’t believe that a woman wouldn’t want him, at least to try.

Well, turns out he recently apologized.
Probably realizing I was bound to speak out.
Or maybe he realized it was wrong, and finally came around.
(On Snapchat. How ironic was that.)

Came around like the guy at work who would ask what kind of guys I liked to see.
“Like what age range?” he’d ask across the room, much older than me.

Or when he’d tell me he shouldn’t say the things he was thinking.
Like when, in those moments, I felt myself shrinking.

As if his comments could quiet the thoughts in my mind,
As if I didn’t know exactly what he implied.

“I don’t want to know what you’re thinking,”
I should’ve snapped back.

Snapped like my bra strap by the guy behind me in class,
in middle school, when they’d tease me until I would lash —

Lash out like I should’ve, when he asked if it was okay.
Once he was already inside, no choice but to stay.

He asked if it was alright,
once there was no longer a choice.

I never said no.

Well, here, now —
This is my voice.

These are the voices of women with stories to tell,
Where these things happen every day —
We know them all too well.

Walking home with some friends,
Got harassed along the way,
Our guy friends were shocked,
Asking if we’re okay —

As if we don’t already know,

And it’s a shame that you don’t.

This is the norm —
It’s all we’ve ever known.

But no longer.
Now, we’re taking a stand.

To say:
“That isn’t normal.
That isn’t a man.”