A sexual harassment victim's story

He kept coming back to touch me

I told him to stop, but he didn’t listen

But the truth was he couldn’t hear it because I said it in my head

I couldn’t form the word out loud

I wanted to scream it out but I couldn’t

For the word was too powerful

I didn’t have the power to say it

So he kept coming back

He kept touching me

I hated it

I wanted it to stop

I wanted it all to stop

Soon, he left

I didn't see him for a couple of months

I was happy

But I knew it wouldn’t last

He came back and touched me again and again and again

The pain hurt, and hopelessness came back and punched me in the gut

It dropped me down to my knees

With tears streaming down my face

The thing that bothered me most wasn’t the pain he brought

It was the pain that came when I was yelling for help

And no one heard

No one knew what he was doing

I was alone with the pain

But then I listened to the song

The song singing in the distance

Telling me to get up

To fight back

I couldn’t get up on my own

So it lent a hand  

By the time I got up I was done

Done with all the pain

Done with all the people telling me that I was heartless

Done with all the people saying it was just a crush

They didn’t know what was happening

How could they talk?

I saw him again and instead of using the powerful word stop

I used my fists

And even though I knew what I did was wrong

I felt powerful

All the hope came back into my life

The fear that he used to bring was gone

It was then I realized

I am powerful

I also realized

If I would have said the word stop

Maybe this would have never happened

At least I know that now

Note for the readers: I was a sexual harassment victim. I wanted to tell this story and share it with others. Please if you are currently being sexually harassed, please tell someone. I know it may not be easy, but trust me when you finally do tell someone you will instantly be lifted from the pain you feel. If you have been sexually harassed or are being sexually harassed and want to share your story, please comment it down below. I understand you, and I am here for you.

Author's Note

This is my first time trying spoken word poetry. I now realized I have been wanting to tell this story for a while, but I didn't know how. Well, I then found out about spoken word poetry from Sarah Kay's Ted Talk. Note that this poem was written fast and if this poem doesn't qualify as a Spoken word poem please comment down below what kind of poem it would qualify as or how I could fix it to make it a Spoken word poem.

Reviews

[Relic]

I'll never understand the mentality of someone who does something like that. It's got to be either out of desperation or some naive belief that yo will enjoy it somehow. Whatever the reason, he is very sick and needs help. Although I don't know if that would even work.

You did good by writing this and I commend you for it.

[Elizabeth Gallegos]

Thank you so much. He is now out of my life and I have finally been able to move on. Thank you for your comment it means a lot to me. :)

[Anon-y]

I understand this pain. I was in a domestic abusive relationship. While it was not physically abusive, it was sexually and mentally. Before then I had experienced a couple of instances of sexual harassment and assault. To be honest, even saying no or to stop isn't what people make it out to be, because rape culture is normalized and it is made out to be the victim's fault. This was a good read. I'm glad you found your voice and power.

[Ariana Papastergiou]

I am not a victim of sexual harassment but your poem almost brought me to tears because as you have mentioned in your reader's note, it is a true experience. I am not writing this comment to express my pity, no not at all. I just wanted to tell you that I believe you showed true strength in the face of such...atrocity and took care of it. I hope you are okay now and healing as much as you can.

[Elizabeth Gallegos]

Thank you so much. I'm glad this poem made such a big impact on you. I only hope more people read it and get the same message. I am okay and I am am learning to move on from this event that happened in my life. Thank you

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is very sad...and has been happening for too many years...and all the people being accused now...all powerful people...and the victims just felt they had no recourse...
just makes me sick that people can do this to others and get away with it.
i am glad you spoke up in this poem---more speaking out now...might have some effect---i hope.

j.

[Giulia King]

Thank you for sharing this. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been. You are so strong, a brave hero and I truly hope this will reach out to so many.

[Elizabeth Gallegos]

Thank you so much. I hope this will reach out to many as well.

[Coyote Poetry]

I taught my children and grandchildren to scream-out to everyone. If receive unwanted attention. Many abuse laid unknown and the poor victim must live with the abuse . A powerful and needed write. I agree with your ending. Tell someone.
Coyote

[Elizabeth Gallegos]

Thank you. I am glad I was able to make the message clear with my poem. I hope others will read it and will get the message as well.

[Coyote Poetry]

You did well and I believe many will read and learn. You are welcome.

[Gejodi]

Abuse can come in many forms. You truly are corageous. The victum usually has little control especially if it is family or close friends of family above all you cant blame yourself. I found that by fighting back, to be the antagonist, to say everything about you is wrong, empowered me to move on and survive. This may have been your first poem but please continue ..you have so much to say

[Elizabeth Gallegos]

Thank you. I will continue to write other poems about this topic and other topics to inspire other such as yourself. :)

[KCthelastboyscout]

It's a courageous thing to express yourself creatively but you have taken a momentous step forwatd. This is a brave message I hope will inspire others to reveal similar moments of pain

[Elizabeth Gallegos]

Thank you. I hope it will inspire others to share their stories as well. :)