30/09: You Do Not Hit

They want you to hit her.
In fact, they are ordering
you to. But you do not.
You hold your stance,
left fist to chin, right
fist shielding your face.
Knees bent, legs ready
to spring into action.
You do not hit. You tower
over the woman in front
of you, you can take
her and the next one in line.
You know your strength,
so you do not hit her.
You hold back.

You did not hold back
when the drunk driver
nearly sent you off the
road, or when the frat boys
made off-color remarks
about your figure. You did
not hold back when the
douchebag in the bar made
your sister uncomfortable.
You are aware of strength,
know the undoing your
hands are capable of,
know the destruction
your generous hips
can unleash.

There will be none of that,
not tonight. No matter
the boxing ring, no matter
the protective gear.
No matter the permission.
You resist the humming
in your right fist, the
clenching of right thigh.
You steady your breath,
bite your lip, lower your
fists and hold back.
You hold back.