Jolted back into the present-
I felt all six feet of him.
Hovering behind, entirely too close.
Had me Cornered-
Attack and exit route
Mentally mapped out,
Before he uttered a word.

Hands steady I went about my Work. Filling a mop bucket-
Watching the steam rise...he stayed.
Scooched in closer.
Whiskey on his breath, said:

'you didn't answer earlier,
where were you going yesterday?
In those short shorts?'

I kept my eyes on the water.
Watching the steam-
not moving,
As I felt my temperature simmer quick.
Rage boiled.
Intuitively I
Turned the hose at his face -
Without a thought.
I heard him scream...
in agony...
As he shouted foul language,
At my back.

I was no longer cornered,
Weapon still in hand.
I turned and saw him stumbling...
Away in pain, wailing why's.

Mop bucket appropriately filled,
Head high,
I went back to the work at hand.

When they came...
asking me what happened?

Told me of his burns- that his face...
Would never be the same.
I felt little remorse.
Answered their queries.
I told them the truth.

I was filling the mop bucket,
And he came up behind me-
Tapping my shoulder.
With no eyes on the back of my head-
I got startled.
Jumped sky high.
And that damn hose flew up.
Fell Outta my hands.
I don't even know how I didn't Burn myself. Darndest thing.
Complete accident.

And I don't know...
if that was right or wrong.
Nor do I care.

In that moment-
I took my power back.
A weight lifted.
For he was every guy-
Who slipped a pill in my drink,
Leaving me waking up naked...
Scared,
Not knowing where I was.
He was the guy who wouldn't stop.
While I cried begging,
trying to push two times my weight
Off of me...
until I finally gave in-
Dead weight-
waiting for it to end.
...dis as s oc ia t I n g...

He was every set of eyeballs,
That undressed me as I spoke,
An innocent hello.
He was the man who put his hands-
Forcefully around my throat...
Left me bloody and bruised.
Again and again,
Telling me it was my fault.
That I was too friendly.
That I had no reason to smile and say hi,
To a friend that we both new.
Told me that I made that guy think...
I wanted to fuck him.
He was the man who slammed me...
With false accusations.
HIdeous Names too ugly to write.

In that moment-
I finally let go.
Of all the power.
Those many men held over me.

I don't know if it was
to the right of wrong.
And I don't care.

I do know though, I'm a bit grateful.
For the experience.

The weight of memories.
That had held me captive...
Finally released and I could breathe.
I felt safe and I trusted myself...
A feeling I'd not felt ...ever.

I wish his face well and I hope it heals.
I hold no remorse.
There will be no apologies made.
He may not have been the one...
Who harmed me,
However,
I recognized him the day I met his eyes.
He was not an innocent.
He was a predator.
And I?
I will not be anyone's prey.
Not today.
I know not what this makes me.
Nor do I care.
Make of it what you will...

One suggestion,
Sneaking up on people
With their backs to you?
Never a good idea.

One never knows...
What they have survived.




© fire_tamed_dame