Because I Was a Girl

Because I Was a Girl

When I was an influential
girl,
all the age of twelve or so
I was told by my own brother
that I could never go to college -
because I was a girl.
I was told that girls
couldn’t do such crazy things.
I was told that girls
aren’t supposed to have dreams
I was told
that girls aren’t allowed goals.
I am elated that I didn’t
believe him.
I am content that he did not
get my goat.
I am thankful
that my own enculturation
does not define
Me.
I will always speak
when I need to.
I will wear my pants,
and caps,
and chaps
and straps if I need them.
I will wear my flannels
and channel every
Woman who wore them before
Me.
I will walk in the muddy puddles
if I do feel so inclined.
I will tackle every single
rung of the girl-forbidden ladder
and I will climb
to the very effort-driven top.
Then I shall wave my daughters up.
We will sit at its peak
perhaps with a cup of tea
and enjoy the view
that I was told I would never see…
      because I was a girl.

-Molly