High School Freshman

He had his hand on my thigh

I thought this meant I was beautiful 

This intimate touch from a stranger

meant I was safe 

I was noticed

Somebody thought I was worthy

Why did it take so long

for somebody to tell me

I am beautiful on my own

I can protect myself

and my self-worth is much more important

than a touch I didn’t ask for

Why did it take so long

to learn men don’t define me?