Novocain

I walk in silence,

Novocain to numb the verbal violence.

Novocain to fight

The fighting,

The feud within me.

The emotions of fear,

The emotions piling up as I

Hear him near,

A man smirking,

Eyes fixated on me.

I feel uneasy.

Wondering if he is far too

Deceiving.

How do you think it feels knowing girls go through this

Everyday?

Wanting all of those calls to go away.

This daily possibility of an unwanted encounter

Makes me feel like the

Old man on the street

Just wants to devour.

Devour our innocence,

Corrupt our thoughts,

Make girls want to turn away

When you come close and decide to talk.

Those cat-calls and whistles and stares

Condition many girls to convince themselves

That there’s nothing there,

That we should ignore

The middle-aged man on the subway,

On the street,

Everywhere you go,

Fucking every man you meet.

Why should I live like

This?

Like I’m just part of this

Compliance?

I wish I could do more than

Just walk in silence.