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”