Maybe One Day

Maybe one day

We will text, “Good Night! x” ,

Instead of, “Home safe! x” ;

We will hold keys in our pockets ,

Not in our hands ;

We will walk with our eyes forward ,

Not looking over our shoulders ;

We will walk in easy strides,

Not in hurried paces ;

We will stand anywhere on the bus ,

Not with our backs against a wall ,

Our arms crossed over our chests ;

We will share our locations out of choice ,

Not out of necessity or fear ;

Maybe one day

Trust is not a privilege ,

But a given;

Education is unnecessary ,

Because the issue is no longer in question ;

Women won’t need to be protected ,

We would be respected;

It won’t be down to women to do everything right ,

Because it is up to all to oppose what is wrong ;

But until that day comes

We shall continue to text

“home safe! x”

We will look over our shoulders

And walk in hurried paces

We will have our backs against a wall

Our arms over our chests

We will share our locations

And not be free to trust

We will educate the bystanders

And protect our own

We will do everything right

And fight what is wrong

R.I.P. Sarah Everard x