degrade

by Emi Koyama

Written on December 15, 2002

degradation
is not trading sex for money
but it is exchange
of social security number for food

degradation
is not stripping away minidress
but it is not having curtain
covering me in a public shower

degradation
is not faking orgasms on the phone
but it is faking compliance
with the court order

degradation
is not even being raped on the street
but it is the doctor asking me
"why does it bother you if you fuck strangers anyway?"