to be a woman

It's hard being a woman in a man's world.

why is it they
always tell me that
i'm beautiful?
there's nothing more
superficial
than someone who only
wants your looks,
and there's no measure to
the hurt it brings
yet they all insist on telling
me that i'm pretty;
and i'm glad of the compliment
yet tell me something
more,
be willing to stick around to
peel back the layers
of my onion�"
share in my agony as well as my
bliss to kiss away to
shadows in my eyes
i crave to
be more than beautiful
i want to change
the world
with dignity and grace
clothe the world in memories of
healing and laughter
be seen as more
than my gender, but as a living
breathing person with
emotions and thoughts and feelings
and rights just like any man
is given.
- linda m. crate