Girly | Teen Ink

Girly

March 2, 2022
By gracehaller SILVER, Vero Beach, Florida
gracehaller SILVER, Vero Beach, Florida
6 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”<br /> ― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief


when i grew up i watched Disney princesses and Barbie galore

i sported fluffy dresses, sparkly bows, and wore fushia velour

practiced ballet, played with dolls 

baked vanilla cupcakes, applied shimmery lip gloss 

but when i was asked if i wanted to be a princess, model, or actor

you were asked if you wanted to be the president, a firefighter, or a doctor   

 

so as i painted my nails a fiery, cherry red i wondered

why am i cringey when singing at the top of my lungs to Taylor Swift and 1 Direction 

while you are passionate and dedicated as you wear a team’s jersey to show your affection


i like rom-coms and pearly jewelry yet i ponder  

why you are dominant, assertive, and strong

while am i emotional, manipulative, bossy, or wrong 

 

why when we do well we are 

“try hards”

“sweats”

and

“teacher pets” 

but when you do the same you are 

“smart”

“goated”

and

“the man” 

this i will never bring myself to understand 


as we cry tears of glitter and oppression onto lush satin pillows

wanting to stand up, no longer needing fairy-tale heroes 

why we say sorry and walk with our heads down insecurely 

can i still wear pink and bash the patriarchy, or is that not “girly”


The author's comments:

I love that there are no rules for poetry. you can just let your brain loose and ideas flow out of you. it really helps me cope and overcome any challenges I am facing because getting my thoughts down in words forms a sense of clarity. I will forever be grateful for the power of words and poetry. In this poem specifically, I wanted to try to express the frustration I was feeling with stereotypes, gender norms, and double standards. I hope it will make my fellow teen girl feel heard!
 


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