Note: I took a pause from my Moth-inspired story writing to participate in a 21-day poetry challenge. Here’s a sampling from my poetry book, Perfect Flawed Dreams, which should be available in the coming months.

When my friend
was sexually assaulted 
by a powerful, entitled
superior,
I was not a good friend.

Instead of showering her
with compassion
and love,
to wash away the 
disgust and shame.
I tried to hand her
an umbrella.
So that, perhaps,
next time - she would
not get wet.

Instead of rising up
in anger and rage
for a system that allows
this type of patriarchal power
dynamics.
I tried to coach her
on how to avoid getting into
compromising situations.
Next time.

Don't drink too much.
Don't stay out too late.
Don't dress like that.
Don't laugh too loud.
Don't end up alone
     in that elevator,
     with a man.
Don't be you.
Don't be bold, or charismatic, or fun.
Make yourself small. 
Blend in.
Fade away.
Disappear.

Instead of holding men 
accountable
for their actions,
I - like so many before me,
     and so many yet to come -
blamed the victim:
     You need to be alert.
     You can't let your guard down.
     You have to be perfect.
Because we still live
in a construct
where that is what's safest.

But what happens when
what's Safe or what's
Right
get into a battle?

Safe will avoid, walk away.
Safe will tiptoe
inside the lines.
Safe will maintain
the status quo
above all else.

And Right?
Right will ask challenging questions.
Right will advocate
for the freedom and security
and respect
for those 
who have lost their voice.

Perhaps from swallowing
their words
their pain
their fear
for so long, they've forgotten
how to speak.

And which side
of the battle
will you join?

How do you change
the world,
while you're living
in this world?

How do you protect
your children,
those you hold most dear?
And keep them safe,
which feels like the
#1 responsibility?

But is it?  Really?
If you have to choose
between Safe
and Right?

Between the world as
it is.
Or the world as it
should be.

Can you make that choice?
Or are the stakes
simply too high?