The Monsters Are Real

By Tanushi Singh

My mind remembers his touch.

The disgust suffocated me.

Swallowed my core.

Hated myself.

Hated him.

Didn't know who l hated more.

This is what happens when

you don't have the courage to say NO.

The humiliation doesn't go.

The anger amplifies, further more.

Almost every girl, I know has known abuse.

I ain't a special case.

I ain't alone.

But as a young girl,

I blamed myself for letting

the beast in question think

I was available as use and throw.

How could he dare otherwise?

I'd often ask myself.

Self esteem hitting an all time low.

The strength herein lies in projecting

you aren't weak or too naive to say NO.

Truth is there ain't any safe place,

sometimes, not even your home!

The monsters are everywhere.

The future generation need to know.

There is power in the affirmation of the word NO.

They need to slay these monsters then and there.

No waiting for justice from others.

Self defense is the only way to g0.

So as my daughter questioned,

are Monsters for real ?

I said No

But I'l need to tell her

about the monsters masked as humans.

Tell her how to deal with them wherever she goes.

By Tanushi Singh