TRIGGER WARNING – This piece discusses issues relating to sexual assault

Dear Eileen*,

I hear that you are dating that man. That man who hurt a few of us.

Please do not delete this message – I seek only to provide a warning.

He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

He lured us in because he was ‘hurting’.

“I need you” – he said. And then he hurt us all in turn.

I hear you are dating that man. That man who laughed at a few of us.

Some of us were drunk, and we laughed too.

His dark eyes sparkled at us knowingly.

His tongue formed his words with a caress.

“Please come closer” – he said. And then he pulled us too close.

I hear you are dating that man. That man who cried with a few of us.

While he wept, we shed some tears too.

And then moments later he laughed.

He looked through us, seeing nothing inside.

“You’re actually quite pretty” –  he said with light in his eyes, stolen from yours.

I hear you are dating that man. That man who whispered to a few of us.

He held his palms up in defence.

After he had already violated your space.

And then he held up his phone, he convinced you to say;

“Yes I like your photographs. They’re wonderful” – you felt broken but remained polite.

I hear you are dating that man. That man who is hiding in plain sight.

We feel like we have done something wrong,

That we should have known better.

But his predatory delight,

Knows no bounds – and so how can we be to blame?

Sincerely,

A Friend.

*Not based off any person’s name known to the author.