What If I Didn't?

They told me I had to be slim

And I obliged

They told me I had to cover skin

And I obliged

They wanted me to look beautiful

And I painted my skin in shades of lies

They wanted me to be good

And I painted my soul with layers of disguise

They wanted me to live

But all I could do was survive

And in collars of expectations strive

They wanted me to obey

So I never was astray

And followed their way

Until the rules threatened to choke me

And it was all I could do to not flee

Fallen prey to people's whims

I endured until my spirit dimmed

None stood for me

And before I could foresee

The next had already been guaranteed

To be the following breed

Of more women indeed

Expected to bleed

For yet more people's needs