Listen to the world’s best poetry read out loud.

When they start to shout at us 

after saying come talk, trust us 

this is a safe space, 

tell us this is for our own damn  

good little girls 

little boys 

but our guts 

tell us this feels 

bad 

kicks and warns us 

they are trying to ram  

shame or guilt into our mouths 

trying to hurt us 

or stockholm-syndrome smiles, 

sparkles in eyes, confuse and dazzle us 

Think— 

we have been here before 

Think— 

they are not our star gods,  

Think— 

they are not  

our father 

or mother 

Think— 

even if, 

we are no longer children, 

Think fast; 

should we prise fingers from throat 

of our opinion  

run run run 

or fight 

this time 

or 

be still— 

decide  

to do 

nothing  

because  

we trust 

even though we don’t know we know…