The Ever-Looming Presence

I was a loner. From the beginning
Ganeered strength to always walk alone
That morning, my hairs stood, my heart rushed
He was lurking behind me, tentatively.

I changed my route to school
Began feeling safe once more… Then..
The breathe in my lungs caught
My hairs stood, and my heart rushed.

And I knew, my instincts were right
It was happening. Again.
He was lurking behind me slowly
Persistent, like my shadow.

A night out with friends. Tipsy but very present
To the dark figure moving about in the parking
Turning when I turned, stopping when I stopped
It was happening. Again.

I’m exhausted, you know
To always have to look over my shoulder
To have that pepper spray in my bag
To reach for it when I feel… threatened.

They sold me fear, and I lapped it to the fullest
Always on the edge, looking left and right, in fear
For me. For my life. For my safety.
Yet all I want, is to be free.

Free to walk when I want, how I want
Free to dress how I want,
Free to be a girl, a lady, a woman
In this land of freedom. Or did I get that wrong too?