I believe you...
led him to believe 
that you wanted to
because you wanted to
and he had given you
some kind of impression 
that he wanted you
and that was, at some point 
enough of a reason 
for you to come into
a space that,
made you comfortable 
and by that point,
he was there to comfort you

... and a look continued 
into a touch
that became a kiss
and you wanted so much...
to let him let himself go,
do whatever he wanted to
in order to let himself know
that he was in control
your mind, body, and soul
all in submission
and you had given him permission 
to this point 
to go this far
but now you feel different
like you don’t want to
and it’s hard
because it’s hard 
and he’s saying that...
that you made it like this 
and this part
is just this hard 
and for his part, he’s no help
only caring about himself 
at this point
and you’re not into it
or him,
instantly.

I believe you...
had and have 
every right 
to change your mind
even this instance,
to stave off the kind of
guilt and shame 
that comes and came 
with feeling obligated
or oppressed into
being an object meant to supplant
his ego for your emotion
and by no means
is your suggestive gesture 
any measure of support 
that he should suggest his pleasure
more important 
than your self-respect 
or dignity
you do not owe him
a release, or relief
or anything that requires
that you surrender 
to his desire 
when you don’t want to
or it
does not matter what you said
what you wore
what you had done
how far you had gone
or if.

I believe you...
are believable 
and it is absolutely inconceivable 
to me
that anyone is unwilling to see
that it is not ever going to be
a power of any men 
to un-empower you
and I’ll put my foot on the neck 
of one attempting to devour you
or your voice
you are not our chattel 
WE ARE YOUR CHOICE
as so you choose
and there are some of us
who will advocate and apologize 
until you lose... the fear 
of not being valued 
AND PROTECTED
because too many of us
are insecure, 
and in fear of being rejected,

I believe you...
deserve consideration 
because you considered waiting 
even after you’d considered saying
something else
you get to say no 
whenever you say so
no one can say something else
and you get to consider you,
not what someone felt
or what they’ll say about you
because no matter what they say
IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT YOU
and you being present and aware
in and at any given moment 
to decide that you want to do 
whatever you have chosen,
not what he, she, 
or society says is appropriate 
or inferred 
don’t you dare accept responsibility
or a role 
for anything absurd...
like “no one will believe you”
because YES the hell WE DO
and contrary to whatever context
that he will cite,
let me repeat:
WE WILL FIGHT!

So speak up about it
Speak out your loud
 and Speak your truth
however you need to,
You are worth it
You are 
worth whatever amount of 
whatever it takes to 
let your voice be heard,
and someone needs you
someone needs to hear you say it
that you survived 
because you decided
not to take it... anymore 
same rules apply,
to any woman
to any sister
to any daughter 
to any niece 
to any aunty
to any mother 
to any cousin 
to any friend 
to any neighbor
to any free spirit 
to any virgin
or any version
to any sex worker
to any whore...

That’s your body
and yours to say no
and if you say you didn’t say so,
I believe you.

-see

©️2021 Cornelious “See” Flowers 
@seethepoet