Hi, I am a 15 year old Freshman in high-school. I like to write about many things like whatever I find interesting, events in my life, and topics I think should be discussed even if it's to myself.
I wrote this poem because the topic of women can either be a positive or negative discussion and that all depends on who is part of the talk. For many years women have been told what to do, what to say, and even what to wear. I wanted to write about what it meant to be a woman and the things we face simply because of our gender.
TO BE A WOMAN by: Mesmeriya Parrott
TO BE A WOMAN
To be a woman is to follow a set of expectations enforced by those around us
To be a woman is to have perfect skin and the best body type to show “Beauty”
To be a woman is to fit and follow every changing beauty standard this world has to offer
To be a woman is to sit back and watch as the men take over
To be a woman is to swallow our pride and bite our tongues in the presence of a man
To be a woman is to follow a rule book given to us the moment we are born.
To be a woman is to express our emotions so we can be understood, but not too much because then we are crybabies and told it’s “Not a big deal”
To be a woman
Be ladylike
Don't look a certain way
Don't act a certain way
Be easy to get, but not too easy
because then you’re a whore
Men see women with a little confidence in themselves and in their bodies and men will bash them for it
“Attention seeker.”
“Hoe.”
“Bop.”
Don't show too much skin but also do show skin
“You must be insecure.”
Don’t react to being hurt because then it’s considered “Crazy” or an “Over-reaction”
To be a woman is to be silenced by men whether they are in power or not
To be a woman is to watch your surroundings like a hawk so you don’t become prey
To be a woman is to cover your drinks in public locations
(did this always have white flakes in it?)
To be a woman is to be cautious of the man in the corner
(why is he staring?)
To be a woman is to carry protection with you whenever you leave the house
(you never know when your life could be in danger)
To be a woman
To be a woman is to cover up so you don’t “Tempt”or “Distract” the men
To be a woman is to never go anywhere alone, for you don’t know who is watching
To be a woman is for our “Attitudes” to be associated with our menstruation
(is it that time of the month again?)
To be a woman is to be expected to look after the children because who else is going to?
(what about the men?)
To be a woman is to lose our rights simply because a man says so
To be a woman is to have children for as long as we can
To be a woman in labor do you worry about what decisions your partner will make to your body?
(Will he add an extra stitch?)
To be a woman
We are treated like dolls for those to dress up and pick apart just to throw us away whenever they get tired
Oh how difficult and scary it can be TO BE A WOMAN