More than Meat

Walking down the street

Lazers hit me

Staring holes through my skin

Openly gazing at me

Like a piece of meat

Behind a deli glass screen

Degraded and ashamed

Pulling shorts lower and shirts higher

While self esteem plummets

I can't feel comfort in my own skin

Yet I should just let you in?

If I say no I’m called slurs beyond compare

If I say yes I’m called another

The balance is unfair

Tipped against my favor

In this battle of the double standard

Unreachable body expectations

Leading to unnecessary body shaming

You aren’t entitled to me

Why do you think you would be?

Legs spread open

Like a personal slot machine

An object

Is what you see

I didn’t ask to be a girl

Why would I?

I’m not a moon to be howled at

Or something lesser than you

I'm more than my parts

I'm more than your stereotype

I'm not yours

I'm more than a piece of meat.