day EIGHT HUNDRED

Dear Men

don’t ever tell a woman she should look

other than how she already looks

she’ll spend a lifetime trying

do remind a woman

she is desirable, even on

her worst days

don’t ever tell a woman she needs

to lose weight—she is beautiful

regardless of the size she wears

do remind her, often,

that she is more than her body

she’ll forget.

don’t tell a woman she is responsible

for the attention

a man gives her;

do tell her she is

free to wear

what she wants

don’t tell a woman

you love her for her body

it’ll fade.

do tell her you love her for her mind

and her million invisible brilliances

this will last forever.

--Rachel Toalson