A small act of resistance.

I used to believe

that by

vanishing

I could not be hurt

anymore.

I thought

that if I could

fade

into the background

I could not be seen

enough

to be a victim.

You cannot harm

what you cannot see…

that’s what I believed.

But now

I know

it is my invisibility

that makes you

target me.

Because

if you fail to see

my humanness

there is no consequence

if you murder me

or make me disappear.

But I cannot wear

a red dress

to remind you

I am here.

It is too big

and too bold

and too

uncomfortable.

So instead,

I will paint my lips red.

A small act of resistance.

A reminder that

I am not

disposable.