I can make you sweat
Posted on: November 13, 2020
Too old to be your father to make you sweat? Nice tits
Stephanie de Geryes shared this link berlin-artparasites
On a side road near my house
On an early morning run:
“Hey, baby, I know another way to make you sweat.”
The driver of the truck punches the gas and spits gravel in my face.
I barely notice, too stunned by the words.
He was old enough to be my father.
On a city sidewalk:
“Hey, purple shirt! Hey, nice tits! Smile for me!”
I lock my jaw.
Put my head down and keep walking.
It’s not the first time.
God knows it won’t be the last.
On a dance floor:
Unfamiliar hands pressed flush against my skin.
A foreign mouth lunging for me.
I skitter back and his mouth collides with my collarbone.
He walks away, throws “fat bitch” over his shoulder
As if his palms weren’t just skimming my thighs.
Everyone will see the bruise peeking from my collar
And give me the look that says: they know what I’ve been up to.
I will not know how to tell them that I was trying to run.
Everywhere I go:
I am being punished.
I have committed the unforgivable crime of being a woman.
And I am not sorry to be a woman.
I will not apologize for having this body.
I don’t know what it would be like to not be afraid.
But I am trying.
I will not smile. I will not look their way.
I will be unapologetic, and strong, and beautiful, and brave. ―
Auriel Haack
painting by Amy Judd
Adonis Diaries 
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