She was five years old the first time a boy called her sexy.  

She was sitting in a kindergarten classroom. 

She was only just learning how to spell. 

Fast forward five years 

She’s ten years old,

At a holiday party with her mom, 

Standing in the corner eating a snickerdoodle. 

When a man old enough to be her grandfather

Walks across the room, sipping chardonnay 

He squeezes her shoulder

 and whispers in her ear “beautiful breasts sweetie.”

Fast forward three years

She’s thirteen years old

Walking down the street, 

alone.

Two men sitting on a bench watch her as she passes them 

one whistles,

the other yells “nice ass” 

She can feel their eyes penetrating her body.

Society tells her that her body has more value than her brain. 

Society tells her 

That she is an object, 

That sexual harassment is normal, 

That complaining about men touching her or catcalling her would be rude and inconvenient,

Society tells her to be quiet.