–
I hear about you
On the news
See your faces
On the net–
Though we’ve evolved
As a species
For countless years
We haven’t shed You yet.
I wonder how
You get aroused
When the woman’s
Saying no–
I mean
I’ve got manly hormones
Too
And I like to go-go-go–
But I don’t get
What goes on
In your heads
To take what
You weren’t given–
I’ve read
It’s all
A power thing,
Yet to be
So darkly driven?
You can’t all
Just be
Sociopaths
‘Cause those guys
Are pretty rare–
And the more
I learn
With each new,
grim tale
It seems like
You’re Everywhere.
But I gotta say
This shit has to end
Lest we be confused
With apes–
‘Cause it burns my blood
To pass by men
And wonder,
“Is this guy one
Who rapes?”
If you think
She wants it
But she never
Said so
Then you’re living
A delusion–
And if you think
It didn’t
Hurt-so-bad
Allow me to
Quiet your confusion:
She felt
Shit on
Spat on
Turned to trash;
Felt bruised
Far beneath her skin–
And for her
You stopping didn’t
End it:
She saw a bleak new life begin.
She’s a person
All real
Just like you:
Complete with feelings &
A mind–
Or do you not
See Yourself
as such:
An active part
Of humankind?
Whatever goes on
Inside you–
Dude:
You’re ruining it
For males–
I’m ashamed
Sometimes
To be a man
Knowing the ways
One like you
Fails.
The rest of us:
We’re not like you
Our courtships
Flow on even ground–
We know that
Within gentleness
Our most enduring
Strengths are found.
So don’t be
Disgusting
Don’t do
Low things
She’s not a trophy
For your shelf–
Walk upright
Act like a man
And keep your foul
Hands to yourself.
–
Photo: Flickr/Christian Bell
Lovely! Thank you 🙂
I’m crying…this is everything many of my male friends have said about the topic of sexual assault…but this really made proud….proud to have such a wonderful male friend. So happy that procreated because that little boy will grow into a beautiful man. Thanks Shapiro!
Beutiful and heartfelt poem. Thanks for sharing.