I’m in the weird position
of trying to dismantle my own sexuality
or not my sexuality but rather
the reputation assigned me because of it
I want to make the point
that I can be open about the topic
write poetry all about it
share what I want when I want but
that doesn’t make you entitled
to make jokes or assumptions or commentary
& being sexual doesn’t mean I want to have sex
with everyone, all the time
it just means I want to break the taboos
which lead to communication issues & a
lack of understanding
& why should I hide something that makes me
happy, & empowered
or should do theoretically
yet lately I’ve swallowed so many thoughts on the matter
cos I got traumatised by everyone calling me a whore
& I don’t wanna talk about it
not here, not with you
not on anything that’s not my own terms
it’s not your business unless I want it to be
& don’t you understand you’re wrong about me
you’re missing half the story
years of pain & regret & discomfort
followed by a seven-month celibacy & sexual ascension
a power I never felt before
don’t you understand I’m not seventeen anymore
desperate for validation
skipping over respect
don’t you understand I’m a woman now
& you can get the fuck out of my bed unless you’re
blessing it.
Devon Webb is a 25-year-old writer based in Aotearoa New Zealand. She writes full-time, exploring themes of femininity, youth & neurodivergence. She shares her poetry online, through live performance, & has been widely published both locally & internationally. She is the two-time Wellington Slam Poetry Champion & is currently working on the final edits of her debut novel, The Acid Mile. Her work can be found on Instagram, Twitter & TikTok at @devonwebbnz.
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