To be a girl
young woman
whatever
in a city isn't so hard
I mean,


She might look over her shoulder 
only to see her own shadow
She might expect 
someone to spring out of the bushes
on deserted streets


She might already know what to say if a
mugger
rapist
attacks in an alley
She has already imagined it 
Different streets
different scenarios
similar result


She isn't very concerned
It could be irrational
She could be paranoid
She wouldn't mind losing some cash

or a phone

She knows that statistically speaking,
she is more likely to be raped by someone she knows


When she walks in the winter it's darker
Shadows leap higher
wind moans louder
She wonders whether anyone could be out mugging
in this weather


When it's warm
she doesn't need to walk as much
She gets on her bike instead and flies
races cars
her shadow swims beside her 
to a place where she can't be touched