Protect Me

This is my body It is not ours It is not yours to rent out on weekends Using it and abusing it for your own pleasure. If I want to pierce it until I'm more metal than skin I will. If I want to tattoo it until my blood turns black with ink I will. There is no law that lets you stop me. And yet if I want to defend myself From your clawing fingers and your intruding limbs I am blamed. If I try to protect my body From prying eyes and forceful hands I am shamed. I am blamed for your lack of control Told that what I wear was just a little too enticing That my shape was just a little too pleasing to the eye And that I brought this on myself. And you, Too out of control to respect me-- A human being-- Are given a free pass. Because who can blame a man for trying to satisfy A basic human need? My needs The needs of a woman Of a human being Mean nothing. My need to protect my body, my home Mean nothing. I don't have the proper genitals To be allowed to protect myself Without your scrutiny, your shame Your blame. This is my body And I shouldn't need your approval to protect it. But I do.