I Told You

I TOLD YOU

I told you that Uncle Danny touched me
It hurt and made me cry
I told you I didn’t like him
You said I shouldn’t lie.
I told you my bra got snapped in class
That I was treated like a toy
Your response was simply 
That boys will be boys.
I told you I was raped
By a man that I knew
Despite my tears and anger
You asked what did I do.
I told you a man came in my dorm
Violated me after breaking my door
When I reported to campus police
They asked me what I wore.
I told you my boss 
Grabbed my breast at work
I wanted to file a complaint 
You replied just ignore the jerk.
I got groped at the club last night
By this guy who was a punk
I wanted to call the police
You told me that he’s just drunk.
I’ve been telling you these things
Happen year after year
You say you are listening 
But do you really hear?
I told you these things happened to me
As you laugh, scoff, and snort
Blaming and shaming endlessly 
And you wonder why we don’t report.
I wonder when these excuses will end
Even though the road seems insurmountable 
When will society stand
And start holding abusers accountable?
Until then I will continue forward
With my words as proof
I shall walk in the light 
And stand in my truth.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Mcguire Avatar
November 9, 2018 at 4:04 PM
So powerful so well written. I am an old man and your poem made me hurt inside. I cant imagine how bad the person in this poem is hurting. Your poem has opened my eyes and I hope it does the same for many others. God bless you and yours.
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