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