When I was five

my cousin stripped the clothes

from my body.

He put his hands on my skin,

hands everywhere.

When I was five

I repressed it.

 

When I was ten or eleven

(what does it matter?)

my friend wanted to play.

He put his hands on my skin,

hands everywhere.

When I was ten or eleven

(what does it matter?)

I repressed it.

 

When I was sixteen

I shared a bed with my neighbor

because my mom told me to.

He put his hands on my skin,

hands everywhere.

When I was sixteen

I repressed it.

 

When I was eighteen

I played truth or dare

I chose truth, he chose dare.

He put his hands on my skin,

hands everywhere.

When I was eighteen

I repressed it.

 

I'm twenty now

and I remember.

I remember hands on my skin,

hands everywhere.

I'm twenty now

and I can't repress it.

 

I'm twenty now

and I'm in love, but I flinch

when her hands touch my skin.

I remember hands on my skin,

hands everywhere.

I'm twenty now

and I can't repress it.

 

I'm twenty now

and I can't think about

the number four, cousins, hands

without falling apart.

I remember hands on my skin,

hands everywhere.

I'm twenty now

and I can't repress it.

 

I'm twenty now

and I can't eatsleepdrink

in a world where hands grab what they want.

Where those hands get elected president.

I remember hands on my skin,

hands everywhere.

I'm twenty now

and I can't repress it.