Adventures in NaPoWrimo 6/30

how to love a rape survivor

do not waste your energy reminding her that you are not him

tell her she’s beautiful

and unbroken

and every bit still deserving

remember your mother

the day you realized that she too was fragile

be the boy who ached to shelter her safe in your arms

forget everything  you’ve learned from watching made for tv movies

every story is as different as the girl who has to tell it

remember that upstairs at a college party

is no different than midnight in an abandoned alley

that some bruises turn inward at family reunions

and others never show at all

be careful

but not too careful

be aware

but not a reminder

remember the girl is more than just one thing

to be held in the light and examined

forget what you know of protection

this is more tightrope than bullwhip these days

tell her she’s safe when you see the wander in her gaze

give her space enough to believe you

be comfortable in the silent spaces to which she will take you

be respectful

you’ll never know what really happened here

but learn to treat each sharing as a gift

be courageous

and gentle

let her teach you that balance

be the boy she never believed was coming

remember the man you are

remember

if there is a moment you err too much on the side of rugged

in that second

to her

you are no different than him

forget what you think your words will do

sometimes love is a hug you can runaway from

tell her

you’re sorry

open your palms

and be patient until she returns

Adventures in 18/30 - Late Edition

after you show her the venom in a man
how it curdles at the slightest offense
how the lip and snarl and teeth and thrust
is thy byproduct of something masculine
tell her
what she must do to appease it
what sacrifices she must make
what fear must linger at the base of her throat
like a choir perched ready to scream
tell her
not walk by herself at night
not on campus or to the store
not even the parking lot of her church
can be sanctified against happenings such as these
teach her
to carry her drink at parties
to make a flirtation of keeping it in her eyeline
tell her [tell her]
about that one time
you were out with your friends
and there was that girl
who put her cup down
explain how they never found out who did it
even though everyone knows his name
teach her
to dress like a lady
remind her they still may call her a whore
that a sundress is tantamount to invitation
more risque and they'll say she's asking for it
tell her
that every two minutes
someone yells "fire"
while they scream and punch and claw and kick
hoping that something like help will appear
and if no help comes
if no help comes
tell her
she must lay still
make sure she knows this
like the phone number and address she learned when she was five

even though none of this matters
not unless you also tell him
no means no
every time