we haven't walked the same streets 

you haven't changed outfits because 

your skirt is 

"too revealing"

you haven't broke into a 

j o g 

or a 

r   u   n

when a man starts to 

walk

in the same direction 

that you heard towards.

you haven't worried about who is behind you

or tilted your head back.

you haven't watched the speeds of the cars that 

pass 

by.

you haven't worried about intersections 

or 

      dead 

              ends 

and you haven't become uncomfortable 

while in a subway car 

at the age of fourteen

because a man looked at the 

dress you were wearing 

to a bat mitzvah.

we walk together at the same time

but you haven't seen me lose my breath

and stop

m i d  s e n t e n c e

and you haven't noticed how my confidence drops

when i walk in the dark

you haven't seen the times i had to

pull out my phone 

because of 

an 

"unsafe" situation

what i would give to walk 

with my feet leading the way

and music in my ears.