How many times

Has the switch been flipped

To raise your shields

In times of strife

And spaces

Of unwanted gazes

That roam over you

And through you

Stealing dignity

And it feels

Like robbery

And it feels

Like rape

So the shields stay up

But there’s a cost

To constant defense

A draining over time

That wears you down

It’s exhausting to be at war

Every moment

Of every day

Sometimes the best defense

Is a good offense