What makes her
ask for mercy
“Hey sexy”
“Hey baby”
whispers loudly
to drown out
trumpets blaring
from taco trucks
“Psst hey baby”
(nothing’s wrong)
“Slow down!”
she wishes for nothing
she wishes for the wind
her hands can’t stop shaking
when a stranger says “C’mon,
you too good for me?”
when a stranger says
“Bitch” when he won’t stop
shouting
she won’t turn around
she pretends
she quickens her
pace onlookers
only stare
sun folds the air
cheap paper fan
she steps into a store
she convinces herself
that she needs milk
sweat ribbons her face
her hands can’t stop shaking