most men don't understand the difference between a girl who is scared and a girl who is shy
A girl who is shy is afraid to speak up
A girl who is scared is afraid of what will happen when she does
Us girls, scared, shy and even brave alike, all want to say what's on our minds
we want to shout from the rooftops from the street corners
from the alleyways
from anywhere else you may here us
but there is a frog stuck in our throats and that frog is named shame. Shame because we should be more modest than that
shame because we should be more lady like than that
shame because we must not talk too loud or else we'll wake up our brothers
Shame because we could never tell our mothers
what happened
because then she wouldn't have a picture perfect daughter
Her modesty's washed down the drain
she surely didn't use her brain
when she picked out what to wear that morning
she went out walking
and all the boys were talking
At every corner she crossed
her eyes were nearly going crossed because she did not know where to look
The ground was too vulnerable
But other people's eyes were even worse
because one look would be mistaken as permission for one kiss or one tease or one cat call
If her head was held up tall, she would be asking for it
And dont you dare tell me it's chivalry
Because If there wasn't a problem i wouldn't have to write this poem at all
If i wasn't scared for my life every time i go out i wouldn't have to write this poem at all
If i wasn't bombarded with comments from every man i see in the summer
Or flooded with calls every time i clocked onto work at the bar
i wouldn't have to write this poem at all

If there wasn't a problem you wouldn't have to listen to me now
But i am not scared and i love to yell
No i am not shy i want all of you to hear what i am saying now
The day you realize that feminism is more than remembering to put the toilet seat down is the day i will shut up
Even if it takes ten thousand flushes
i will wait for them all
I will stand patiently until the day anyone can use any stall
They want to
In public
Without fearing harassment or judgement
For the anatomy that they have
Or do not wish to have
I will sit patiently
With my legs wide open
Until the day i don't have to be modest
If i don't want too
Until the day i can be modest
If i choose to
And the day where I'm allowed to change my mind
The day where a man will listen to me when i tell him I'm not in the mood
Instead of pressuring me
To shave for him
to shut my mouth for him
To make love to him
to make room for him

and to not make a scene
And to not be such a drama queen
And to not overreact
And to not cry
And to stop making poetry