Katherine Yets

Self Defense Class

 

I meant to ask:

Would I be able to elbow jab

my boyfriend in the face

while we are in bed,

and he holds me down

and he

and…

I meant to say

that over 80% of assaults

are not stranger danger driven.

That I cannot throw fists

while sleeping.

I said the class made me feel strong

despite my trembling,

despite fighting back tears

and memories.

I should have said

I know my rapist’s face

better than my own hands.

That I just couldn’t

fight back, couldn’t punch

the lips I’d kissed every day,

couldn’t stop him.

 

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