We live in a world

Where the normalization

Of people hurting

Of people commenting

Of people attacking

Each other is just expected

We live in a world

Where women

Are viewed as objects

Where men have an upper hand

Where no means yes

And yes means yes

And stop,

Leave me alone,

Means I’m playing hard to get…

We live in a world

Where harassment is unreported

Or ignored

Or passed off

Or just…

Left alone.

We live in a world where women are objectified,

Where if we say we are uncomfortable

We are told to stop whining

We are being crazy

We are making everything up

Our generation is so….

Sensitive 

We live in a world

Where men are told it’s the woman's fault

We shouldn’t have been wearing that-

We shouldn’t have antagonized him-

We shouldn’t have walked alone-

We shouldn’t look the way we did-

“Did you even really say no?”

But something we aren’t told,

Is that we are all beautiful 

We are all built the way we are

We do not need to hide

We should flourish

We should shine!

But when you step out, what greets you?

A smile and pat on the back?

Or the objectification and shame

That comes with being told

You aren’t worth it…

Now I look back at everything

And I see

The way it was all made to be

With one step in hand

I take a look at the band

And my friends hide

As I wait and bide

My time…

Told to hide

Told to be ashamed

Of the body I have

That it’s all my fault

By some societal standards

I asked for it.

“Her shorts were too short”

“Is that even a shirt?”

“What a hoe…”

Derogatory terms

Thrown in every words

And I try to run

But all I can’t see is the sun

Missing my life

Just so I can run with strife

The dangers that await

Because of some societal hate

But ahead I see bright

The light

Of enlightenment

And knowledge…

Someone supports me,

Holds me up,

Keeps me forward…

And I am reminded of my worth.

I am told that no means no.

And touching someone without permission

Isn’t a key emission 

This interception

Of conflicts in ception…

Because you matter

No matter what people say

What words are played

How you are treated,

You are worth the universe 

And more

Despite what some creepy man says

Despite what happened in that dark corner

You are not disgusting

And you were just scared

And sometimes…

No isn’t enough

But normalizing this?

We live in a world with beautiful young people,

Where people run free

Without my rights being denied to me

In most cases 

As I run with hastes

The fear that is near

I don’t see

Because no means no,

Yes means yes,

Stop means stop,

Your worth 

Is worth more than you know,

No matter how far you go,

Because no matter how you are treated…

You will always have someone here to guide you

Back to happiness,

Back to the light,

Back to your worth…

Because we live in a world,

Where acceptance is everywhere,

And your worth doesn’t decrease

With any peace

At the sign of danger

We will all be your rangers

And a world with light

Where we don’t have to fight

No matter where we are

There will always be a scar

But also a person 

A Herson,

A guardian to protect you

No matter what you went through,

Because no is valid and you are strong,

And whoever hurt you is wrong,

Because we all love you,

No matter what hoops you went through

To get to where you are 

Because we are all a tad bizarre,

But if we stick together,

Soon no one will try

To take our worth away

Because even without pay,

We all seek freedom,

A kingdom

To read in

Safe and alone,

Because no…

Means no.