Leighla wrote a poem that brings attention to situations that many women find themselves in at some point in their lives. The title of her poem is “Just A Girl”. She said she got her motivation from current events in social media. Leighla is currently a Junior at SCHS and plans to study Psychology after she graduates. Please tell her congratulations when you see her!

Just a Girl

By Leighla Day

  I am not a girl who likes to be touched

  The thought of your skin brushing up against mine sends a chill through my core

  But when your hand is slowly finding its way to the small of my back

  And your whiskey soaked fingers are starting to burn my untainted skin

  I will wait until you’ve had enough and my body is no longer a restop for your ill intentions

  Because you are a boy who likes to touch things

  I am not a girl who likes to be called pretty 

  When your backhanded compliment forces a thank-you out of my tired mouth

  And my politeness suddenly becomes an opportunity

  You run your fingers through the hair my mom brushed when I was little

  I want to ask you to stop but my words become glue, they’re sticking to my throat and I’m quiet

  Because you are a boy who thinks I’m pretty

  I am not a girl who likes the dark

  While I’m walking to my car I am suddenly a child

  But what used to be monsters are now men hungry for a good time

  I’m choosing to block you out because anywhere is better than here

  Your hands begin to roam the delicate parts of myself and I’m crying, internally

  Because you are a boy who gets things easier in the dark

  I am a human who wants to be normal

  I don’t need the small talk or your hands on my armour, my skin

  I don’t need your validation, conformation on what I already know to be true

  I don’t need to feed your hunger with something that doesn’t belong to you, that is only mine

  I need to know I am safe

  Because you are boy who has no right to the body that doesn’t want you