What issues do young women face? What a strange question. Why even bother with that question? I carry keys in between my fingers at night. I know where all the exits are. I am aware of other women’s body language when men are approaching. I take the time to realize the ratio of men to women in a bar as soon as I walk in. I don’t think about these things, I just do them because they are ingrained. Because I have been approached too many times, touched too many times, and talked to in ways that are so disrespectful those men have been thrown out without me saying a word. So what issues do young women face? Well let me count the ways. And how about I let you do the research. Maybe talk to the women in your life. Ask for stories. Ask about encounters. Ask about how they stay on the phone as they walk home at night just to feel safer. I would not want to give my answer because my story is very dark. I will say if you are concerned, as in you want to make a difference, do the work. Do the research. Get involved. Do not come to me. Because I have no patience left for these kinds of questions.

short shorts

it's all women can find these days;

lining the aisles with denim and threads

show off those thighs

but don't be surprised

when someone goes a bit too far

because men just can't

control themselves.

they scream at her for showing off,

yet those are the only clothes she can find

"it's a form of self-expression"

but there's no "self" behind it.

there's nothing to do but just suck it up and wear it.

wear the shorts and be quiet.

shh, little girl.

you don't know what you're saying.

after long enough, they aren't shorts

anymore.

they're shhorts,

symbols of sexualization

to keep you quiet.

What do young womxn face today?

[ I'll keep going till I get tired of remembering things people have said ]

Oh, well look atch'yoo!

Boobs.

Are you sure you can lift that?

You're hair's so pretty, can I touch it?

Give me a piece of that.

Hey baby, why so shy? Let us see you spin around.

There's a good girl.

Don't break a nail.

Hey bitch.

Show a little skin.

Look'n a little heavy, aren't ya hun?

Don't you want children?

To have a child so young...

Cover yourself up.

Eve ate the fruit first, you know.

Let the men talk.

Men can't control themselves.

Hold your keys between your fingers like this.

Cross the street.

Don't yell HELP. Yell FIRE!

Statistically speaking it's way more likely someone will come

Why so shy?

What a sweet flower

Why so loud?

What a firecracker

You knows how to be one of the guys

You knows all the guys

Well ain't you a sight for sore eyes...

You wore makeup today!

You... wore... makeup today...

Do you want to go get your brows threaded?

Wax and they stay smooth longer

Yuck. When's the last time you shaved?

You sure he was harassing you?

Lighten up darlin.

That time of the month?

Aren't we being a little dramatic?

You haven't got it so bad!

Look at you.

Just look at you.

My dear, why so downcast?

[ Yep, and I've had enough for one day ]

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@bykaileyann

#poetry #freeverse #spokenword