I found this collection of poems at my local bookstore a few weeks ago and managed to borrow a copy from the library. Many of the poems in it moved me to tears as I read them this afternoon. The author is Rupi Kaur and the collection is The Sun and Her Flowers . I found this poem very moving and it hit the spot on so many points for those who may have had their boundaries transgressed by any kind of abuse, but particularly sexual abuse.
no was a bad word in my house
no was met with the lash
erased from our vocabulary
beaten out of our backs
till we became well behaved kids
who obediently nodded yes to everything
when he climbed on top of me
every part of my body wanted to reject it
but I couldn’t say no to save my life
when i tried to scream
all that escaped from me was silence
i heard no pounding her fist
on the roof of my mouth
begging to let her out
but i had not put up an exit sign
never built the emergency staircase
there was no trapdoor for no to escape from
I want to ask all the
parents and guardians a question
what use was obedience then
when there were hands
that we not mine inside me
– how can i verbalise consent as an adult if I was never taught to as a child
Emerging From The Dark Night 