Being a girl

I shouldn’t be scared

Of walking down the street alone

I shouldn’t be scared

Of walking to my car

I shouldn’t be scared

Walking alone in the dark

I shouldn’t be scared

Of the man as he looks my way

I shouldn’t be scared

Of being

Me

What happened to those early years?

The ones where we were never afraid?

What happened to being free of fears?

The days we stayed out super late?

What happened to feeling safe?

I wasn’t scared

Of walking down the street alone

I wasn’t scared

Of walking to the car

I wasn’t scared

Walking alone in the dark

I wasn’t scared

Of the man as he looks my way

I wasn’t scared

Of being me

What happened you ask

I grew up

I saw the other women’s eyes

Their footsteps going quickly by

I saw the other women

Walking as groups at night

I saw the other women

Hiding from the man

I saw the other women

And then

I didn’t