She feels them staring at her.

The energy it gives off

Makes her want to jump out of her skin.

Still she walks on with her head held high.

 

She notices how they look at her.

The stiffled comments

And the gestures.

The extreme feeling of anxiety.

Still she walks on with her head held high.

 

She knows that they watch her.

They analyze her gait

Her appearance

Her appeal.

Still she walks on with her head held high.

 

She's become used to the distant words of the strangers.

How they judge her as if it is their right.

She tells herself that she doesn't care.

Still she walks on with her head held high.

 

She wakes up before the sun

Because she knows it will take a while

To convince herself to leave

The safety of her private space;

To venture out into the world

Where they are simply waiting.

 

She constantly feels the prickles down her neck.

She times when she leaves home

So she might not see them,

Or others like them.

 

She is scared.

She knows she will see them today.

 

She takes a deep breath.

And walks on.