i heard the frustration, wringing cry of a hundred girls

and worse, their silence

in one sentence, you

beat me on top of the head, bad bad

stupid bad. prided myself in being invincible

take it away and throw it away

to the back of my mind

ill run it over and over, ill run

my tire treads bare

for every time harsh words,

the clumsy talons of men tore

a small piece away, it is enough

self doubt curdles the strength inside you

when did we need this

affirmation from outsiders, tourists

who come to see

and be seen, stay and then go

where did my tongue go?

where did my legs go?

where did my heart go?