A little kid walking through the jungles of a grocery store

He sees mountains filled to the brim with every sweet and salty treat he could dream of

His mother

Clinging to his hand in order not to lose him

He stays on the path until something

Catches his eye

A treat wrapped in shiny gold paper, tied with a single pink bow

I want that one!

But he hears a no.

The grocery clerk has now stepped in

It’s my candy. It is not for sale.

But it was right there!

So shiny and perfect, just waiting to be eaten

It was practically asking for it.

So he takes it

He’s not a thief, he is merely taking what he deserves.

Why did it look so pretty if she didn’t want to give it?

So beautiful.

Well, I was not made to be beautiful

I was not made for you to pick out and claim

You are not a toddler and I am not some pretty good you get to grab

I wrap myself in gold because I am just as precious.

Wanting something does not mean you are entitled to it

Why do men feel they are entitled to my body?

Entitled to take something the second it isn’t given.

I am not some prize sitting on a shelf, waiting for you to notice me

Waiting to be picked,

To be chosen,

To be taken.

I don’t remember signing away the deeds to my body so why act as if you own them?

It is called ‘Predator’ because you prey on the ones you deem weak.

Children whose eyes shine with innocence

Teens who are not taught to be afraid of

And grown women who are beaten, manipulated, and drugged

For one night of his satisfaction.

We are then left in the dust, missing a piece of ourselves we will never get back.

And you take that piece and you wear it as a medal around your neck

As if it was not a fragment of a stolen bright soul, simply because you chose her

Because the princesses are waiting to be chosen.

To be saved.

Well let me tell you something

I saved myself a long time ago when it was the prince who left me broken

When we are taught as kids

That the boy who pulled our hair and threw us in the mulch,

Liked us,

How can you expect us to see the signs?

You would never blame the candy for being stolen.

So don’t blame the woman for being raped.