Beach

to me I bend their gaze & 

I break it.

For the women on the shore I break it.

For once my young body stronger, 

treading deep water,

men’s water. surrounded.

the men call & at distance, 

I turn.

Our ocean. 

I stare back.

My animal stillness snaps their tautness 

a claim. For once, bender

not bended.

they shrink away. splash muttering away power, 

power, now I own three gazes and now I know, 

now I know. Inside I’m just power.