The Fright

You know when The Fright is out on the town;

Men’s roving eyes and beer breath in your face,

It’s just harmless banter love. What’s with the frown?

 

You crack a small smile. Hope they’ll back down.

Flirt. Just enough, till they give you some space.

You know when The Fright is out on the town.

 

Even when you say No. Firmly stand your ground

and point out who’s groping you in the workplace,

They say, it’s just banter love. What’s with the frown?

 

You’re tired of the endless sexist put downs;

Told always you’re Ugly. Thick. Fat. A Disgrace.

You know when The Fright is out on the town.

 

It’s hard to resist when their words make you drown

in fear and self-loathing. When you are debased

for just harmless banter. Love, what’s with the frown?

 

You need to release The Howl (not keep it bound);

Which is often impossible when you feel so erased

by The Fright that is everywhere. Not just on the town.

It’s not harmless banter. They know why you frown.