Walking poem

i have been alone before
i have walked alone before
listening to the sound of my shoes on the gravel
i have been angry at men before
when i am alone
men are singular
one big loud bossy group of men
who don't want to wait for me at the crosswalk

women we stop
we look both ways
still - grown women
we wait our turn
we smile at each other
small smiles
keep our bodies small
tight arms tucked in at our sides
close to our ribs
pay attention to our bags
to our bodies
because the streets are pretty empty
and you never know
you just never know
even in daylight