In this town women walk at night—

Alone. The river glows with Van Gogh’s black blue hues

Twinkling on ripples of a star kissed sky

I cannot imagine locking myself away

From the night air that feels like freedom must taste

In the mouths of men. I cannot

Imagine closing my eyes to the midnight bells

That mark the deepest hour of night

A new day, draped in night’s cape

Wrap my bare shoulders, not with angry hands

Or tongues that lash foul thoughts to my skin

But wrap them in the black veil you mistook as your own

And I will claim the night with my high-heeled monument

Erected by monthly blood-spilled miscarriages

Of justice. In this town women walk at night—

Alone.