The Painted Lion

"You're too pretty to be single" Why is one person's idea of ideal aestheticism A basis for a relationship status And furthermore What is so goddamn shameful or pathetic about being single anyway Is confidence and comfort in being by one's self intimidating to you "Swearing is unladylike" Bullshit Swears are only words And these words do not negate my intelligence, or passion, or define anything about me as a person or my character Men are never told not to swear Swear as much as you fucking want "Your standards are too high! Just give him a chance" No You are invalidating a woman's right to say no She doesn't need to explain herself to anyone She doesn't owe anyone anything Ever Everyone should have standards for themselves, and not feel like they need to lower them to please anyone Or be shamed for leading someone on when they know it would never work Because that happens too "I...

For her sixth birthday, she asked for a tie Like the kind her daddy wore It made him look regal, and handsome, and strong And she wanted to feel powerful too. “Don’t be crazy,” they said, and handed her a dress.  “This is what girls wear.” So she held herself straight in the pink corset  Trying not to think of doctors, and presidents, and kings. In seventh grade, she met a girl who took her breath away Hair like the sun and eyes like the sea Her heart would beat fast and she would smile every day She thought that she might be in love. “It’s just a phase,” they said, and handed her a bible.  “Girls only like boys.” So she danced with a boy and let him kiss her Trying not to think of rosy cheeks and glossy lips. Sweet sixteen, and she found solace in stories  Adventures, and heroes, and noble quests She wrote and drew and dressed as the characters she loved - An expression of everything she was and wanted to be - And she wanted to show the wor...