I swallowed it – I changed my face,
I fought, I fought, I felt
myself go weak,
go limp, play
dead,
and then a group of women saw me,
shouted at the men, and pulled me out.
I was dazed,
are you OK? They said.
Where are your friends?
I didn’t want the fuss,
I shook my head, ignored them until they left.
I wanted to be somewhere else,
I wanted to be home – which home?
I didn’t have a key to anywhere – I started pushing
through the crowd,
a man – thin face, much
older – appeared in front of me,
sweetheart, your dress, he said.
I looked down, it was unbuttoned to my waist.
Thanks, I buttoned it up, still muddled – foggy.
I saw what happened, he said,
here, take my hand, I’ll get you out and safe.
I took his hand,
he led me through the crowd,
he was smaller than I was, making a meal
of clearing the way,
but then we broke out into sudden space and
light,
thank you, I said,
he pulled me on still, down the street,
he turned to go into an alley
wait,
I stopped, pulled back,
come on, he said, I think I saw your friends
down here.
Can you believe it, Ava.
No, I said.
He glared at me, walked off.
I waited for my cousin on her doorstep.
