They Said

They said I was too loud.

They said I needed to be reined back.

They said I needed to diffuse situations instead of fueling the fires.

They said I should smile more.

They said I should flirt a little harder.

They said I should know my place.

They said I should toss a few back with the big boys.

They said nice things when I did my hair and makeup.

They told me how they like my nails when they were done.

They said I looked tired and unwell when I stopped wearing makeup.

They said to be patient and wait my turn.

They said heels made me look sexy.

They said it was weird I still hadn’t found someone.

So, I spoke louder, fought harder, fueled fires,

Smiled only when I felt like it, spoke out of turn,

Held more serious conversations,

Drank when I wanted, said no when I didn’t,

Cut my hair, grew my hair, coloured my hair…for me,

Stopped wearing a full face of makeup,

Allowed my nails to chip or stay nude,

Stopped covering up blemishes and breakouts,

Ran the streets in Keds and sneakers,

And enjoyed still being single.

This is not a rant.

I’m not an angry woman.

I’m a woman.