He's Your Boyfriend, So It's Not Really Assault

Your eyes haunt me

They whisper the pain that hides beneath

Your smooth skin and pretty teeth

And how you can’t breathe

And the way your heart screams

Whenever he speaks

In that soft, deceiving voice

Oh, the noise!

It fills your brain, it's too much, it's too little

It kills you inside

But my dear, you do rejoice

Don’t you?

And you’re ashamed of it

But still you do 

A part of you still believes him 

When he says he acted on a whim

After all, it was just once

And he loves you, he does

(Doesn't he?)

I mean, all his friends can see

He brings you flowers and takes you on dates

And this happens, he said it was a mistake

And he’s your boyfriend, he has the right

So what if you didn’t want it that night

He’s your boyfriend; he can touch you

He has his needs too

Maybe it’s all your fault

He’s your boyfriend, so it’s not really assault 

Your eyes haunt me

They whisper to me about your pain

About everyone that hushed you, 

About every look of disappointment, of disdain

They scream every rumour that has kept you up,

Unable to sleep because of your locker that has SLUT

Written on it in neon pink

The teachers can’t look at you

Your parents tell you that you overreacted 

Even after you showed them the bruises

They don’t believe you 

Why would they? You were the perfect couple after all

And no one saw what happened inside those four walls

Your eyes haunt me

They whisper to me

Begging to be heard, to be understood, to be seen

Begging to be free

If this poem resonated with you, you are not alone. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please reach out:

In India:

Helpline	Number	Purpose
National Women Helpline	181	Abuse & violence support, 24/7
Women in Distress	1091	General women's distress, 24/7
NCW Helpline	14490	Counselling & legal support, 24/7
iCall	9152987821	Psychological counselling
Emergency	112	Immediate danger

Outside India:

If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number or police immediately. If you are experiencing abuse, search "[your country] women's helpline" or "domestic violence helpline" to find verified local support.

You are not alone. You deserve to be heard.

WRITTEN BY -

SHORTCAKE