National Women's Month: Sarah Thursday's poem "I Will Not Apologize"

I will not apologize

for not being

soft-lipped

doe-eyed

for not laughing

at all your jokes

and if I put my hand

on your shoulder

it will not be an invitation

if my fingers linger

which they will not

you will not have the rights to me

to my round parts

to my fullness

against your bare bones

I will not apologize

for not being

giggle-light

batted-lashes

but more

teeth barred

and fist clenched

my gaze always at the door

on the clock

holding breaths

waiting

for you to learn

my name is not prey

© 2017 Sarah Thursday

Bio: Sarah Thursday runs a poetry website called Cadence Collective , co-hosts a monthly reading with G. Murray Thomas, and founded Sadie Girl Press as a way to help publish local and emerging poets. Her first full-length poetry collection, All the Tiny Anchors, and her newest CD/chapbook, How to Unexist, is available at SadieGirlPress.com. Find and follow her to learn more on SarahThursday.com, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.