Gazing Back at the Male Gaze

When he tells you, the male gaze is inescapable, especially for you, all you can do is sit there,

remembering the ways he tried to touch you, before you could slap him away.

He wouldn’t do that to his girlfriend, she’s less than an object than you. It wasn’t enough

to make any deal out of it. Especially since he’s so socially aware. A part of you expects him to say he’s kidding.

He turns to you and looks down, inexplicably tall, a pen bitten down on by his small mouth, unaware of his obtuseness. You know what I mean he says. You don’t but it’s not worth a the fight so you look down and shrug. Just a little while longer. He’ll be far away

and you’ll be healing.

Oh come on, he provokes.

You can’t escape this, in a small place where you’re stuck with him and his gaze. How do you react without exploding? Ironically, he preaches women’s rights. But it’s self serving and a trap, after all he had gained your trust which put a target on your back. Maybe not your back. But when you stretch your spine and look into his eyes he looks surprised. Shocked by your ability to gaze back at him.