A Tale as Old as Time
The first occurrence
As early as preadolescence
I couldn’t even make sense
Unaware of the existence
Of male tumescence
It took me a while
To begin to see it as vile
Those men in professions you just
Have always been taught to trust
If it was a routine check-up
What caused the hold-up
A hand creeping along
Where it didn’t belong
Five years spent all gaunt
Then it comes back to haunt
I tried to recall
Clear the pall
When it happened once more
Near the crowded bus door
A man so very old
Your blood would run cold
I couldn’t believe it
My stomach was a pit
Maybe he was twitching
A symptom of ageing
This instinct to excuse
Fingers too loose
Going for obtuse
When it’s clearly abuse
Why don’t we blame
Put to utter shame
The wandering hands
Roaming restricted lands
Is there an explanation
For that slight hesitation
Before pointing a finger
At the limb that did linger
For me it is the shock and horror
That an act so heinous wasn’t an error
I thought I was alone
Till others matched my tone
Most girls have been here
Walking home in fear
A solidarity so horrific
Becoming part of this statistic
As the criminals get away
The harassers aren’t made to pay
They believe it’s their birthright
An outlet for false might
Enough is more than enough
Can’t tolerate authoritative guff
Now our hands will do the taking
Our bodies and spaces we’re reclaiming
Of our screams beware
As they rend the air
These battle cries will rise
To usher your demise
One feminist rhyme
At a time.
