A Woman Should
Teach Her Daughter How to Navigate This World
I.
Smile and laugh
seek out and call
to joy
but only smile when
you mean it
Don’t let them make
a decoration out of you.
Don’t smile when
they tell you to.
You will be told
often and not kindly.
II.
Walk with a key
between your fingers.
Spine straight.
Keep the music off
in your headphones.
Never alone at
night.
Be aware of who is
behind you
and who is coming
towards you.
Be aware of
everything.
III.
Wear clothes you
like
that make you feel
good,
love your body
because it is strong and beautiful
and will carry you
through this life
but know others
will comment
and judge
There is nothing
you can do about this.
IV.
Others will touch
you without asking.
Sometimes playfully
and they will
expect you to smile and
enjoy the
attention.
Sometimes they will
touch you violently.
You need to protect
yourself from both.
Use your words to
stand up for yourself
unless it could get
dangerous.
There is no way to
tell if or when it could get dangerous.
V.
Read, learn and be
curious.
See as much of the
world as you can.
Don’t hold back
your opinion.
Speak with
confidence in your beautiful mind
You have a voice
and you should use it.
They will call you
“shrill” when they don’t like it and “good girl” when they do.
Both will make you
feel terrible.
VI.
Sometimes you will
be the only woman in the room.
Sometimes this will
not matter.
Most times it will.
You are just as
smart as the rest of the people in that room.
Your opinion and
thoughts count just as much.
Regardless not
everyone will see it this way.
They will imply
often and loudly that you do not belong.
VII.
Not all women will
be your friend.
Many will cozy up
to men for protection,
leaning in to the
patriarchy.
Regardless, we mustn’t
abandon those women.
Learn everything
you can about the patriarchy.
It is slippery and
dangerous and multisided,
a some point it
will crawl inside someone you love and use their voice
to say things that
you will never forget.
Understand it can
only be dismantled from the inside.
Understand that you
will never be on the inside.
VIII.
If you forget
everything else,
remember this:
When you ask
yourself
at night
Am I good enough?
Regardless of what
the world tells you
The answer
will always be
Yes.
--Ally
Malinenko
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