Don’t be me

I am forever judged
For the way I look, dress, speak, eat
There are no guidelines to follow,
But simply put: don’t be me.

Don’t be the me that’s too tall for her age
Too freckly, too poor, too smart
She isn’t cute or cool like her best friend
She’ll never play that part

She’s saddened by the lack of likes
From the boys on the school playground
But her mother tells her to enjoy the compliments
From the elderly men leering around

“If I gave you a nickel for every freckle …”
Croons a grey-haired man in the grocery line
My mother laughs and says,
“She hates them but I tell her they’re divine!”

“I love a girl with freckles,
They look just the best.
My wife was covered in ‘em
May she peacefully rest.”

Don’t be the me who fits in tight
Nary a unique attribute to be seen
She’s got the right clothes, hair, size
And her tits grew to size D

The boys finally notice her
And the attention is severe
But nobody ever told her
That she shouldn’t let them near

“Slut!” was her label
And self-consciousness reigned supreme
She never made the right decisions
According to whoever’s allowed to deem

Don’t be the me who settles
In relationships fraught with woe
Thinking that a partner will solve it all
Only to learn it isn’t so

She must fit into the mold
That he’s created for his bride
If she can’t squeeze herself in
Then prepare to say goodbye

Don’t be the me who’s independent,
Or at least she thinks she is
Truthfully she’s broken into pieces
But she never notices

She sleeps around to find her worth
Like experience taught her to
She thinks her body will lead her to love
But that’s not what boys do

They use her flesh, her heart,
Her money, and her whim
And when she speaks about something more
They explain she’s not for them

Don’t be the me who’s sober
And’s no longer a fun time
She’s level-headed and conscious
And that impedes the crime

She knows herself better and
Finally feels in control
But there’s nothing less attractive
Than one he can’t cajole

Don’t be the me who’s wealthy
And doesn’t need him to treat
She chooses partners based on want
Rather than what’s on an atm receipt

“What’s my worth if I can’t provide?”
He pleads with her one night
“You can provide with more than cash” she claims
But the effort required’s too high

Don’t be the me who’s married
And happily wed as one
She’s gotten fat and looks older now
So they assume he’s ready to run

She can’t keep her figure, her style
And her looks have gone astray
There can’t possibly be a single reason
He actually wants to stay

Don’t be the me who opts out of kids
They’re just not in her plan
“One day you’ll change your mind” they say
Ignoring her personal stand

“The world is ablaze, rotten
And my genes are full of doubt
Why would I subject a child to that
When I can be happier without?”

Some understand, but most complain
She’s denying her womanly role
Once again, her truest worth
Is how she uses her hole

Don’t be the me who knows herself
Who’s aged into wisdom and power
They fear her, despise her, judge her harsh
But they’ll never see me cower