Injustice ~ “With Women and Children on the Street . . .”by Mindy Matijasevic

With women and children on the street . . .

by Mindy Matijasevic

He lifted his shirt

It was a sweaty day

He caught the breeze on his moist skin

   pot belly hairy nipples

No one gasped or pointed

No jaws hung

No one called him “topless”

No one said he was looking for trouble

No mutterings about getting some self-respect

No one violated his space or body

   and then blamed him for his behavior

I fume with envy

Freedom envy

Freedom to not hide my flab and body hair

   and nipples in shame

Freedom to catch a breeze on a sweltering day

Ya know, all the things that make a woman a “slut”.