Poetry

Quotidian

Aria

When he enters the lift
when alone on a street
when he pulls up beside you
and gestures
then shouts

Breathing halts

When the path is unlit
when the stock room is empty
when alone
in the dark
in garages

Heart rhythm shifts

When your boss gets too close
when the Uber guy flirts
when the man won’t stop staring
and smiles
Fear rises

When you sense him behind
when workmen linger
when coach hugs
too often
too tight
Sweat drips

When he grabs your breast
insists that you want it
makes himself hard
makes threats
Feeling stops

When he touches your leg
when he calls you honey
when he compliments
body not brain
Anger rises

****

Coda

Scan ahead
Sternum straight
Stride long
Lengthen gait

Loudly sing
Briskly walk
Summon courage
Dial friend and talk

Keep on moving
Exhale calm
Cue 911
Place keys in palm

Pick up pace
Yell No out loud
Cross the street
Merge with crowd

Speed up
Throw up
Rise up
Power through

A day
in the life

for every
Me Too

–Linda Belans

2019