you think it’s funny that we’re afraid of going out alone
you think “unnecessary” “exaggerated” and
“indecent dressing is what we shouldn’t condone”
“it’s late” “it’s because you’re husband’ll know you’re not staying home”
But what if told you that it didn’t matter if i was home
If I was taught that at 14 years old
The room was warm and the blankets were clean and white
From the ache in my thighs to the cover on my eyes
I couldn’t quite grasp at it but I knew it wasn’t right
On a bright Sunday afternoon, my friend Michelle sat crying
For the priest had blessed the then dead man who gave her AIDS
But told her that for her sin, her soul was dying
She had been all turtlenecks and baggy pants
Was it that she hadn’t prayed hard enough, a lack of trying?