Contradictions

Can I speak to you honestly?
Human to human?
Each day, now, I wake up

And thank God I'm not a woman

I have been spared 

From an endless struggle

Spared from contradictions

You're expected to juggle

Love yourself, the way you've been made!

But your thighs are touching, try losing some weight

Don't wear all that make up, you're naturally beautiful!

But you look so tired, you should sleep, you look awful

Do what you love, go chase that career!

But what will your kids do if mummy's not here?

Take a closer look,

Let's delve a little deeper

Double standards are draining,

But this gets far more sinister

Celebrate your body, your body is art!

But cover it up, please, you know how boys are

Step out and be bold, confidence is a must!

But show a little skin, appeal to his lust

Dress how you want, boys shouldn't care!

But when you're attacked; well, what did you wear?

I thank God I'm not a woman,

They're far stronger than I

Putting up with the world's contradictions

And still having the strength to ask why

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I'm sure this must've won you the hearts of EVERY woman who reads it! You've hit on some very salient points here, while keeping it lighthearted & with a bouncy rhythm. Your examples make everything easy to visualize & are well-selected. This is one of the best ones I've read this week. Thanks for your sensitivity & understanding.

[Ben Barton]

I've noticed more and more the ridiculous double standards the media (and thus culture) have been placing upon women, and needed to find the right way to express it. Thank goodness for creative writing, eh?

Thank you very much indeed for your review; you are always so articulate and constructive with what you have to say.

[MOON]

True , women are faced with all sorts of contradictions, live up to unrealistic expectations. Lovely write.

[Winslow Des Totes]

Wow, very well executed write here! I like how the flow of the piece speed up closer to the end making it feel more urgent and emphasized. Your point too is very well delivered and I thank you for being man enough to consider a woman's point of view. This is going in my favorites so thank you for that.

[Rhia Barton]

This poem is going into my favourites. I love it. No need to explain why, as a feminist, it goes without saying. Not just the content but the execution is awesome. Good rhyming scheme too, I've basically given up on rhyming schemes in my poems because I'm so abysmal at them. That's not the case here though ;) Dis here is some tiiiiight shiiiiiit.