Blame

this indignant poetry           I must    take a stand
I will be called      loud-mouthed hard-hearted              stars in

eyes        sentimentality foolishness stemming from    stubbornness

upsetting status quos          a glass of wine poured        in antiquated times

now the tannins are             acid        each swallow is dry
So I won't inhale this anymore

I said

I won't inhale this

anymore
I won't force this

stream
of violence into my             system
 

anymore

i walk with the                      blade of a key
between the          fingers of

atightfist

too tight to release                                                               fear
femininity is now                 a billboard
for easy                 access
skirts                                       blouses                   heels
 

can't run
 

lipstick                   cheekbones rouged             a blush it’sfearbutyoudon’tsee
 

     from the attacker

i’m of the              weaker                                   sex

                                                society

and it's my fault I must have                            asked for it

scars rips                of the     psyche

i must have asked
ruined
i must have

for this
 

i must     believe that beauty             walks from the     Pages
sleek                       anemic   gaunt

beauty feeds me                                  a joy incomparably                            high
worthpraisevalue                                 belonging
did you hear

she collapsed
survive                   she never does

i am her

my heart loses                      muscle with the pounds

i shed like old skin

is it enough            that my eyes are  bright

my hands    open to catch microcosms of faith            seeing is believing

i shrink before your eyes                   

                                     the key never did protect me