Memo from the Accused Girl
       

the school did not protect me
dismissing my complaint
the school called me a liar
said I should choose my dates

with wisdom and discretion
that I should be demure
that kind of education's
not what I'm paying for

they called me loud and crazy
for speaking up and out
preferring I stay lazy
abhorring how I shout

to make sure that my anger
goes everywhere at once
past all the campus officers
that mostly useless bunch

they came to get my interview
as if it were a joke
an ugly laughing audience
every time I spoke

so I went to the hospital for
them to stitch me up
somehow I was the one to blame—
my hair, my dress, makeup

all made me "someone's slut"
instead of someone's daughter,
somebody's angel child.
again I heard their laughter

again I heard their blame,
But I won't let my anger
be buried under shame
not silent any longer

when frat boys speak my name.

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Copyright © 2022 Allison Joseph All rights reserved
from Any Proper Weave
Kelsay Books
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission