Cat Call
astonishing,
how I’m made
to feel so small
in seconds
with a harsh word,
unwanted advance,
or a verbal knife wound
twisting
every fiber of my being
until I’m
scrubbed raw,
heart bled,
trembling,
my muted tongue
heavy in
my parched throat
yes, I’m speechless
& shaken
too easily
in the storm
of your voice,
you’ve sentenced me
to a lifetime
of distrust,
wariness,
& avoidance
of eye contact
for fear
of stoking
a fire
even a clever masquerade
can create a flame,
little embers
still burn the same
Thistle Thoughts 