Stray Dogs by Annyka Dela Cruz

Catcalling —, 
the reason why I am ashamed to be a woman, 
the reason I want to flatten my chest and scrape my nipples off, 
the only reason to cover my skin with blankets of clothes, 
the reason why walking home alone is never an option. 
Tonight these stray dogs catcall in the dimly lit streets of the city, 
And tonight, I feel more and more like a victimized house pet.