Dear world,

 

First off, I would like to say,

Thank you for taking the time

To make me this way,

Though it’s not been so kind.

 

With my gentle heart and passionate soul,

And clever mind to boot,

I have an untapped power to control

That makes me more than “just cute.”

 

Every day I am forced

To throw on a smile

And sit pretty while life runs its course.

But what would it be like to take charge, just for a while?

 

To be a woman is to be not enough.

To be a woman is to be a toy.

Because there is no possible way we can be tough,

But like Beyonce says, “If I were a boy…”

 

Just be grateful, you say,

Just be grateful I can speak your mind

Because “back in the day,”

I would have been left behind

 

To this I say, “why must I settle?”

When you bow to princes

And tell me to put on the kettle.

Must I sit here and wince?

 

For centuries, I have fought,

Through Malala, Susan, and Marie.

Even though, at points, I was not even a thought,

But I will keep fighting until I am free.

 

Take this promise as seriously as you wish,

I know it is your tendency to ignore me.

As long as I live, I will take the risk,

To ask, to live, to be.

 

Sincerely,

 

Me