i have not
always been brave

i don’t know how many there were
i was on the ground
there were hands
grabbing at me.
squeezing me.
pinching me.
i couldn’t tell you
how long it lasted.
it ended when i grabbed
one of them by the
back of his head slammed
his face into the gravel and
dragged him till the white
meat showed. the teacher asked
if i had any regrets. i told her, ‘hell nah.’

i was six.
#metoo

i did not always have
a snappy comeback

i’m not like the other boys.
i can give you a baby.
why the phuck would
i want a baby?

i was 12.
#metoo

i was always afraid
i was always angry

my uncle took me into the basement.
he told me this is what they will say.
this is what they will do.
no matter how scared you…