Feminine Rhyme

Nice girls don't get angry,
Big girls never cry,
Emotion makes you laughable,
And don't you dare ask why.

If you don't speak up, you're "vapid,"
If you do, they'll think you're rude.
Say yes, they'll think you're slutty,
Say no, and you're a prude.

Don't join the boys at football,
Don't join the wrestling team,
Stay home and primp your Barbies,
Prepare to live the dream:

White picket fence around you,
Freshly vaccuumed living room,
A Bundt cake in the oven,
A baby in the womb.

Don't let yourself get stretch marks,
Don't eat junk food, you'll get fat.
Put on this padded bra,
'Cause men won't want you if you're flat.

Go to work, and you are selfish,
Stay at home, and you are lazy.
Being a housewife makes you boring,
Outside interests make you crazy.

Junior's T-shirt is on backwards!
His hair is combed awry!
"You're negligent! I'm telling!"
Is the public's loud outcry.

Be there for every milestone,
Soccer game, and Cub Scout meeting.
You have to cherish motherhood,
'Cause Goddess knows, it's fleeting!

BUT......don't rescue little Junior
From that fight on the playground,
Your baby boy's a man now,
You're not s'posed to stick around.

Knit some blankets for the grandkids,
Hang their handprints on the wall,
But, prepare to be forgotten
When your relatives don't call.

This is the life you're destined for,
Each minute, every day,
Being female makes you fungible,
A meaningless cliche.

I hope this makes you good and mad,
I hope your blood is boiling,
At society's dismissiveness
Of our sacrifice and toiling.

So how can we prevent this?
It's a terrifying choice
That we have to make as women,
But we need to raise our voice.

Tell them, "No, that's unacceptable,
Don't speak to me that way.
My feelings count as much as yours,
Please let me have my say."

Stand your ground through their resistance,
Don't cower at their ire,
You deserve to be respected,
So walk proudly through the fire.

You're much more than a pretty face,
A cunt, a pair of breasts,
So exercise that mind of yours,
Get out and be your best.

Say no to being submissive,
Say no to being demure,
Say no to being his property,
Say no to being unsure.

Say yes to being powerful,
Say yes to being true,
Say no to being an object,
Say yes to being you.