Mama Told Me

Drowning out the stereotypes with my stereo.

Staring at the ground to avoid the indecent glances.

He grabs me, so I grab another drink.

Drown it out, ignore it all.

That’s what society told me.

 

But, Mama told me to say f**k ‘em.

To pull out my headphones

And scream my own song at the top of my lungs.

To call out the catcallers

And anyone who dares turn their gaze where it is uninvited.

To throw that drink in his f*****g face

When he lays his hands on me.

 

Yes, that’s what Mama told me,

But never showed me.

She was raised in the same brush-it-off society.

Raised to wear a wool coat and hush up

So the wolves wouldn’t hear her outcry and turn.

Survival of the meekest.

 

But in her quiet lamb melody,

She told me to howl.