18 TO 25

What women 18 to 25 need

is to stand in two lines waiting

under a tortuous sun for the chance

to eat or to drink cold water.

Women 18 to 25 you

are lucky to be here.

What women 18 to 25 need

is to shut the f#&% up because

no one wants to hear laughter or

voice or friends.

Don't you think you

are lucky to be here?

What women 18 to 25 need

is indifference from older women

who are not 18 to 25 because no one

cares there is menstrual blood dripping.

You are so

lucky to be here!

What women 18 to 25 need

is to be stripped not just of clothes but

dignity, self worth and to have hope

polished out of the eyes.

Don't be ungrateful

you are so lucky.

What women 18 to 25 need

is to be screamed at by angry men

because clearly other men outside prison

didn't do the job right.

I'm doing this for your own

good and you are so lucky!

What women 18 to 25 need is

Unknown but it is happening

and happening.

Aren't you lucky

that you know?