The Weight of a Woman's Fear

As I walk alone at night,

I cannot help but feel fright,

Of all the dangers that may come,

And the threat of harm, there's always some.

Men may say they understand,

But they cannot comprehend,

The fear that grips my every step,

And the constant threat of danger kept.

I hold my keys between my fingers,

As a weapon, a defense, it lingers,

I scan the darkness, looking for threats,

Always on guard, never at rest.

I cannot let my guard down,

Or risk being taken, beaten, or bound,

I stay aware, stay alive,

But at what cost to my mind?

I should not have to live in fear,

But society makes it clear,

That as a woman, I'm at risk,

And taking precautions can't be missed.

But men will never understand,

The weight that fear bears on a woman's hand,

We must stay afraid to stay alive,

In a world that doesn't value our lives.