Allison Joseph
Blind Date
My name is not “She asked for it.”
My dress gave you no right to touch.
I’m not a gash, a snatch, a slit,
no human doll for you to stuff.
My dress gave you no right to touch
my face, my breasts, my waists, my thighs—
no human doll for you to stuff,
to bone or bang, ignoring cries.
My face, my breasts, my waist, my thighs—
I’ll heal from every sudden blow.
To bone or bang, ignoring cries,
Was how you answered every no.
I’ll heal from every sudden blow,
this damage not defining me.
Was how you answered every no
your usual brutality?
This damage not defining me,
I will not hide each bruise from sight.
Your usual brutality
won’t keep me silent, dumb, polite.
I will not hide each bruise from sight.
I’m not a gash, a snatch, a slit,
and won’t stay silent, mute, polite.
My name is not “She asked for it.”
