Societal Standards: Girls
It's 2022,
We've evolved, don't you say?
We've grown and learned
It's 2022,
Be female and be proud
But too much confidence is cocky
It's 2022,
Wear what you want and love yourself
But don't show too much or you're asking for it
It's 2022,
Be natural and wear makeup
But don't show scars or acne and be careful not to catfish
It's 2022,
We march with women of every color, shape, and size
Until it's a man up on trial with tears in his eyes
It's 2022,
Pepper spray is a necessity
But use it? you're just crazy
It's 2022,
Raise your standards ladies
Not that much though, you're too picky
It's 2022,
Don't cry, don't be blunt
Don't scream or it's your time of the month
It's 2022,
Know your worth, speak up
Know your place, don't talk back
It's 2022,
"I love women, but I don't respect them"
How is this still a conversation
It's 2022,
"Women are fun and hot, but my boss? A leader? No"
How is this still said
It's 2022,
Aren't we supposed to be passed all of this?
It's 2022,
And we have evolved
We have grown
And we have learned
It's 2022,
And yet the audacity of men remains the same.
i love the assonance in the first stanza, and i love how mean and daring this poem is! this is very much a feminist anthem where you call out every single thing you dislike about society's treatment of women. i love the repetition of "evolved, grown, and learned" at the end of the poem-- it gives a nice closing and remains consistent. you just have some grammar issues with to instead of too, but this is great. the ending is very strong, though i wonder if you could just write, "it's 2022, the audacity of men remains the same" because all else is changing, but this is one thing that does not.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, this entire poem is such queen energy I love it! I like how you juxtaposed so mutually exclusive concepts in order to show the hypocrisy that women today are forced to contend with. And the repetition of the year really drives this point home because so many people are way too proud of where we are today in terms of gender equality while not appreciating how far we have to go. I can imagine this being the type of poem that is read in 20 years from now and still ringing true, with the line "it's 2022" hitting so much harder because of it. One thing I would change is very slight, but in the line
ReplyDeleteBut use it, you're just crazy
I would write
But use it? you're just crazy
by adding the question mark, you insert this tone of incredulity at the idea of women actually acting aggressive in order to defend themselves.
I love this poem. As an openly feministic woman living in the 21st century of a Modern Orthodox Sephardic home, I especially relate to this. Society is for women when it's convenient to them.People, including women, claim that the feminist movement is no longer necessary, but this poem is a refreshing reminder that we are not 100% in the clear and that these so called modern times are not perfect in any sort of way. That being say, there is a slight tweak I would make to the poem, in the stanza: Not that much, you're too picky- I would add a 'though' after 'much' just for grammatical clarity and transparent contradiction. Other than that, this is an amazing poem and I will be shoving this in the face of any sexists I get the chance to cross paths with.
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