In fear of the worst

1- The world is supposed to be a safe place

2- Where we can step outside,
3- walk free and socialise.
4- But while men step out without a care,
5- as women, we must stay aware.
6- Live in dread, immobilised

7- We step outside in fear of the worst

8- Of being catcalled on our way to meet our friends
9- Or ogled at as we look through our purse.
10- We step outside in fear of the worst
11- Of being pulled into a dark corner as we stroll the city streets
12- Of being touched and forced to hurt.

13- They say it is because of what we wear

14- They say it is because of our physique.
15- But no, they don’t realise,
16- we have no control over the wreak.

17- We cover our bodies,

18- and wear what they deem as ‘modest’.
19- Does this actually stop it?
20- No, these guys need to be honest

21- It is them who choose to touch us

22- It is them who choose to stare
23- It is them who make us feel,
24- like they’re not even aware,
25- that they are the ones,
26- who make us step outside,
27- in fear of the worst.

- Sara Adel

(27 lines)

EXTRA COMMENTS/ANNOTATIONS (on whole poem)

1- Tone – Aggressive-assertive. The poem is written in a confident way, while also seeming forceful and
confrontational. In the first stanza, the tone is calm yet controversial and leads into the rest of the poem, almost
tricking the reader into the thinking that the rest of the poem will be like this. This doesn’t end up happening and
the surprise the reader may feel would make the poem significant and would make them think about the problem
talked about in the poem.
2- Point of view – First person. The poem uses words like ‘we’ and ‘us’ which gives readers an implicit connection
into how the writer’s (me) feelings and mindset on the topic. ‘We’ and ‘us’ refers to women or victims of sexual
abuse specifically so those readers would be able to relate and ‘connect’ to the poem more than others might.
3- Rhyming – (lines 2-3 & 6, 4 & 5, 7, 9-10 & 12, 14 & 16, 17-20, 22, 24 & 26). Creates a rhythm and makes the
poem easier to understand and read. May also keep the poem and message of it in the readers mind for a while
after reading it, making it significant.
4- Bias – The poem talks from the perspective of a woman, and talks mainly about how women are affected by sexual
abuse and not how it may be from the perspective of someone of a different gender. This would make the poem
 more relatable for female readers, but male readers could still relate as well. It would make readers think about the
reality of sexual abuse specifically on women and how it makes the victims feel.

TECHNIQUES USED (ones used multiple times have been colour coded and all have been added as comments (with the
effect))

1- Enjambment
2- Repetition
3- Personification
4- Anaphora
5- Inclusive language
6- Generalization
7- Oxymoron
8- Hyperbole
9- Listing
10- Descriptive language
11- Rhetorical question

REFLECTION

• How does your poem explore your selected issue?

My poem explores sexual abuse and assault in modern day society. The poem mentions multiple things about this, like how
the world is expected to be (safe), how both men and women live in society, examples of things that happen or could,
examples of situations we may be in for something to happen, what society tells women to do to decrease the possibility of
something happening, and the fact that it is society itself is what make women live in fear. The poem uses the phrase “Step
outside in fear of the worst” multiple times to emphasis this feeling. Obviously, it was written describing how sexual abuse
affects women specifically, but both men and women who are victims of this could understand or relate to the poem. The
poem is also written in first-person, making it more personal and easier to relate to for the reader.

•What makes you passionate about this issue?

Personally, I am someone who has witnessed and experienced a bit of sexual harassment. What I felt in the moment when it
happened was so horrible and uncomfortable, and it was hard for me to realise that first of all, I am not the only one it may
happen to, but also, its not my fault that it happens. This is what inspired me to write my poem about this.

• What is the main message of your poem?

As a female, who is very protective over those I know, I want people to know that it is not their fault if something bad
happens to them, it’s the person who did its fault. I want people to understand, that what people wear, or their appearance is
not the only thing that makes others feel like they can’t control how they are feeling and make them force that feeling onto a
stranger. I want people to understand how it makes the victims feel and how it makes them live the rest of their lives.
Therefore, the main message of the poem is that sexual abuse has an enormous affect on those who experience it, and that it
is never the victim’s fault in these types of situations so society should stop trying to pretend to fix the problems that they
started.

(358 words (not including the questions))