Day Five: My Short Skirt

Of all the clubs I could have joined in college, I joined VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood. It's not exactly the club you want to be a part of when you're in the middle of the Bible Belt and everyone looks at you like you have herpes, when that's what you're trying to prevent in the first place, among other things like pregnancy and AIDs.

We work in conjunction with the local Planned Parenthood organization and promote safe sex and awareness. The month of April was Get Yourself Tested month and yesterday we celebrated Take Back the Night. Take Back the Night is an event that occurs nationwide to help raise awareness of sexual violence and assault. It's gotten to the point where people can't feel safe walking alone at night for fear of what might happen. We had several girls tell their stories, a couple skits from the Vagina Monologues and then paraded around campus to take back the streets, and take back our night. We shouldn't have to feel afraid, but the reality is that it can happen to literally anyone.

So, in honor of last night, I'm posting the poem, "My Short Skirt," which is a part of the Vagina Monologues. Enjoy.

My Short Skirt

It is not an invitation
a provocation
an indication
that I want it
or give it
or that I hook.

My short skirt
is not begging for it
it does not want you
to rip it off me
or pull it down.

My short skirt
is not a legal reason
for raping me
although it has been before
it will not hold up
in the new court.

My short skirt, believe it or not
has nothing to do with you.

My short skirt
is about discovering
the power of my lower calves
about cool autumn air traveling
up my inner thighs
about allowing everything I see
or pass or feel to live inside.

My short skirt is not proof
that I am stupid
or undecided
or a malleable little girl.

My short skirt is my defiance
I will not let you make me afraid
My short skirt is not showing off
this is who I am
before you made me cover it
or tone it down.
Get used to it.

My short skirt is happiness
I can feel myself on the ground.
I am here. I am hot.

My short skirt is a liberation
flag in the women's army
I declare these streets, any streets
my vagina's country.

My short skirt
is turquoise water
with swimming colored fish
a summer festival
in the starry dark
a bird calling
a train arriving in a foreign town
my short skirt is a wild spin
a full breath
a tango dip
my short skirt is
initiation
appreciation
excitation.

But mainly my short skirt
and everything under it
is Mine.
Mine.
Mine.

Shatter the Silence, Stop the violence.