I am a women and I am beginning to feel uneasy about it

I am a women,
And that makes me feel unsafe.
I hesitate to leave the office door unguarded when I’m alone,
Or keep the window open.
I am a women,
And that makes me feel unsafe.
I lock the door to my veranda,
Unsure about the boys next door.
I am a women,
And that makes me feel unsafe.
My mother worries herself when I’m late,
And badgers me to be home before dark.
I am a women,
And that makes me feel unsafe.
So I rush down for the 6.45 p.m bus home.
I am a women,
And that makes me feel unsafe.
I listen carefully when a man compliments about my looks,
Wondering if he’s being corny.
I am a women,
And that makes me feel unsafe.
I feel uneasy when strange me ogle at me on the street.
I am a women,
And that makes me feel unsafe.
Whenever I visit a public toilet,
there is a lurking fear of being attacked.
I am a women,
And that makes me feel unsafe.
Even though I am supposed to be 48% of the population.
I’m not as rare as a tiger,
That you can sell every part of me and make a killing.
I’m as common as a crow,
And commonality does not ensure security.
I am an object,
That can be sexually gratifying.
And a growing number of men, just cant keep their semen inside them.

-written on-
10/3/04

9.30 a.m