Two-Faced
by Alisha Venters
Is
it my fault that I wasn't born with a penis?
All
my life, my mother has struggled
Against her own contradictions
To teach me to be a "modern woman."
I
can, and should, vote (but no one wants to hear my opinion).
Real beauty is inside of a person (but I must be physically beautiful to be a
real person).
I am talented (but don't show others because no one likes a show-off).
Brains are necessary to get ahead and to be successful (but don't prove boys
wrong, or else they won't like you).
Be comfortable with your own feminity and sexuality (but don't ever open up your
legs because good
girls don't like sex).
Be independent-minded (and never fall in love, because that leads to marriage
and misery).
Be your own person (but don't go against the crowd or go into a passionate extreme,
because then you're a freak).
Have a big, kind heart (but you'll never understand what love is).
Don't get married or have children unless you want to (but you're not whole if
you don't).
Money isn't everything (but your life is a bust unless you're eventually
wealthy).
I
know it's not her fault.
I know she tried.
The whole world tells women
That this is how they have to be.
Why do we let this go on?
Mom,
I've learned better.
I hope you're proud of me.