Smile
“Give us a smile, luv.”
Slight edge of threat in the old man’s voice.
Interrupts another futile effort to shop in peace.
Without a stranger prodding as if their right.
Demanding a pleasant demeanour
as they would train their pet dog.
Play act being nice and happy and compliant.
Usually for the benefit of men.
“Would it hurt you to smile once in a while?”
The warning tone is barely masked.
The boss is giving another lecture.
Pointing finger hand gestures
cornered in the office kitchen
where no amount of peppermint tea
will soothe suppressed rage bubbling.
Because the boys in the club complained
A gal dares to question their authority.
“A smile is essential in a polite society.”
A country women’s association acolyte preaches
to girls angry for near-endless stretches of time.
Instructed from birth to likely grave to be silent.
Why can’t their fury be visible?
To appease men and their insecurities
For a woman’s place is behind her man.
Neither seen nor heard.
“Smile like you mean it.”
The man-child in the alley way barks.
Breath reeking of stale beer.
Pinning his prey rigid unwilling against cold bricks.
His hands pawing uninvited at its crotch.
While his mates milling nearby egg him on.
Not even sweatpants dishevelling
enough to hide the allure of his captured feast.
A victim who forgot her species
never walk alone mantra — day or night.
Too late for safety in numbers.
“Smile sweetheart, you want this.”
____________
Copyright. Thanks for reading! Enjoyed it? Share it — or follow me on Medium.
