Worthless? Poem by Skylark Woodrow

How much am I worth?
Come on,
Tell me.
Aren't I just like all those other girls;
The ones you call out to on the streets,
The strangers you grope because they're "hot" or "sexy",
The girls you rape because "boys will be boys" and you obviously can't control yourself.
Aren't I just like all those other girls you verbally and physically assault,
Abuse?
What makes me different?
Last time I checked, I'm still female.
Why is it that you think that you can treat women like objects,
And expect them to behave as if we are less just because we are not male?
Women are not lesser-humans,
Our worth to you or society is not based on how attractive you find us,
Or how great you think we are in bed.
We are not here to please you,
And your opinion doesn't matter.
We don't have to be what you consider attractive, pretty, or beautiful.
We don't have to be congenial, paste on a smile, and take this.
We are people just like you,
And your behavior toward us is unacceptable.

(2017.10.8)