Give Me A Kiss
When people started asking my young daughter to give them hugs and kisses (people she had never met before) I felt angry and inspired to write this poem. As I sat down with pen and paper, I was flooded with memories of all the sexism I had experienced in my own childhood and young adulthood. It’s NOT okay, and often leads to tragic situations for women and girls. That was what I hoped the reader of the poem would strongly feel by the end. And it’s up to all of us to change that ending for future generations of girls.
A Girl’s Life
She’s so cute.
The store clerk said.
Give Me A Kiss.
Told.
Directed.
Expected.
I was four.
4 years
Living
a girl.
No. I said.
Refused.
Ran.
Pleaded.
Shhh….
Four years
Living
A girl
Expecting
to be heard.
She’s so cute!
The school boy said.
Kiss me!
Told.
Directed.
Expected.
I was eight.
Eight years
Living
A girl
No. I said.
Refused.
Ran.
Pleaded.
Shhh…
Eight years
Living a girl
Expecting to be heard.
That’s so cute
The teacher said
Kiss up
Told.
Directed.
Expected.
I was twelve.
12 years living
A girl
No. I said.
Refused
Ran
Pleaded
Shhh…
12 years living
A girl expecting to be heard.
You’re so cute.
The prom date said
Let’s kiss.
Told.
Directed.
Expected.
Sixteen years living
a girl
No. I said.
Refused.
Ran.
Pleaded.
Shhhh…
16 years living a girl
expecting to be heard
Hey, gorgeous!
The construction worker said.
Kiss this!
Told.
Directed.
Expected.
20 years
Living a girl
No. I said.
Refused
Ran
Pleaded
Shhhh…
20 years living a girl
Expecting to be heard
You’re sexy
The stranger said
Give me a kiss
Told.
Directed.
Expected.
No! I scream.
Refuse.
Run.
Plead.
Shhhh…
24 years
Living
A girl
No longer
Expecting
to be
heard.
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