What If I Didn't?
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