Wolf-Calling

The girl walks home,

alone at night.

Her red hood is pulled over her ears,

to cover any howls she might hear.

She is greeted by unfriendly wolves on the street,

not the kind you bring home for mama to meet.

They say,

“What long legs you have.”

She ignores them,

walks faster.

They say,

“What a beautiful bottom you have.”

She starts to jog,

her head down.

They say,

“What a lovely chest you have.”

She feels trapped,

she feels scared.

They say,

“It’s no harm.”

They say,

“It’s not serious.”

They say,

“It’s a joke.”

They say,

“You need to learn how to take a compliment.”

They say,

they don’t know.