I do not need protection.
You were never there when I needed help.
My cries went unanswered.
I dried my own tears.
I’ve learned to rely only on myself.
What do you think you can protect me from?
Your words?
Your actions?
Your own failure?
I protect myself
from my fear
glancing for my exits
I stare into the darkness
with my keys splayed between my fingers
scanning the shadows
listening for foot shuffles
locking my doors
encrypting my financial information
updating my privacy on apps
changing my passwords
and still the memory
of your idea of protection
of the abuse
of the assault
haunts me in my nightmares.
My faith is shattered.
I don’t need your fucking protection.
Kristen Osborne says
I felt these words in my bones. I feel these feelings to the core—every day. Thank you for sharing!