The Shortest Lives

CW: The following content contains references and written images of domestic violence, sexual assault, and transphobia.

The more violence

The louder the silence.

Lives being ripped away

One by one.

She goes on a date

Only for him to be filled with hate.

He grabs for something in the back

And then for her, it all goes black.

This is the third time this week

Last time was her friend.

They had just turned 20

She was only 21.

Women being murdered.

Being mutilated and defiled,

Attacked and ambushed

All being ignored.

My sisters are being slaughtered.

For simply being themselves,

For challenging social norms

For expressing what’s within.

Too many of my sisters have been slain,

Too many have had their lives stripped away.

For being born in the wrong body,

For trying to make their body their own.

She didn’t make it,

Takes the total up to 34.

How much longer do we have to keep screaming.

Begging for action, begging for more.

My sisters are being murdered.

Society is failing them,

Ignoring their pain

Leaving them to suffer.

Why won’t you listen?

Open your eyes.

Women are being slaughtered

Right in front of your eyes.

So much bloodshed,

So much silence.

How can you be so quiet

With all of this violence.

If you or anyone you know needs support, here are some helpful resources:

Trans lifeline: (877) 565-8860

The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564

U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233