How to Be a Woman
don’t speak too loudly
don’t disturb
don’t argue
don’t assert yourself
let them do
what they will do
shake it off
let it be
pretend it
doesn’t matter
play the part
make the grade
dress for success
by which we mean
show us your skin
and make sure
you’re perfect
always perfect
forever perfect
this is how
to be a woman
How to Be a Real Woman
take off your makeup
let down your hair
take a good look
at your naked face
in the mirror
and smile
stand tall without
the whole world
on your shoulders
believe in beauty
and know
you are
beautiful
say what you mean
in your own voice
in your own language
don’t let them tell you
who to be
or what to look like
or how to live
choose for yourself
and then stand strong
proud
true
this is how
to be a real woman.
This is an excerpt from This is How You Know: a book of poetry. For more poetry, visit my starter library, where you can get some for free.
