Going in Pairs

Lads roll their eyes

When they see us pop

To the loo in pairs

Easy to be blasé

When you’ve never been groped

And had no one believe you

Never been pinned against a wall

Never been leered at

With no one to back you up

Never stalked in a dark corridor

Like some sort of prey,

Weak only because

Of foolish patriarchy

That somehow thinks

We would make these things up

Like it’s jolly to say

‘I was touched’

‘I was hurt’

‘I was raped’

Who says these things for fun?

Not all men! Comes the cry.

Of course, and likewise

Not all women lie.

So don’t begrudge us

The fragile safety net of

Going in pairs.