I am the graceful. The flawless. 

I cross my legs and measure my waistline 

like I was taught to

Tuck my opinion into the back of my tongue

so that I am not labeled as 

“that bossy girl everyone hates” 

Because us girls, we gotta be careful.

Believe you are important and they will say

you’re conceited. Wear whatever the f***

you want and now it is your fault

he ripped your thighs apart

Being a woman means old men in suits

are still deciding if I have the right to my own body.

I was ten when I learned this 

When I heard my uncle wishing his child were a boy

When they called me a woman before I had the chance to

When I was told never to go outside alone 

while my younger brother roamed freely

wherever he pleased. 

I learned to be a woman the same way you cut open a rotten peach. 

I took the first bite without knowing the bitter taste it would leave in my mouth.