Girls

every time you heard it on the news,

people said he was mentally ill

he lost it, he didn’t mean to kill

he was sexually deprived

it was one of his “bad” nights

he must feel so guilty, deep inside.

every time you heard it

it’s a kind man with

a nice family, his wife

and kids love him so much

they don’t know why

he did all the hurt.

you hear it again and again,

he must have been in pain

he must have gone insane

he must have gotten crazy

his mind must have been hazy

he’s misjudged, misunderstood.

we’re sorry, we promised he’d be good

we’re sorry, next time he won’t be rude.

every time you hear, people said, “that poor girl”

she should learn to protect herself better

what was she doing, alone, at that hour

what was she wearing, asking them to stalk her

our teachers and mothers,

they told us when we were much younger

don’t take that drink from a stranger

don’t turn to that dark corner

be a good daughter,

don’t go out at night

go home when it’s dark outside

it’s not safe out there,

for a little girl like you

there are hungry wolves and bears,

you can’t never get through

what are you going to do

their hands are bigger, and yours are small

they forgot to recall

your raper could be your neighbour

your killer could be your lover

so don’t tell us to run back to the house

don’t tell us to change that blouse

don’t tell us to keep our head down

don’t tell us to be afraid

don’t tell us it’s gonna be okay.

teach them, let them know

that the weak will become stronger

the oppressed will always speak louder

we will never surrender

step on us and we will grow taller.

t.l.