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firebirdiePoems
They say it like a warning. Like a flaw. Like something soft and breakable and less. You throw like a girl. You run like a girl. You fight like a girl. As if girl means crooked. Weak. Almost. As if girl means not enough. But tell me — What does “like a girl” even look like? Like scraped knees from learning anyway? Like voices hoarse from shouting over laughter? Like teeth clenched from being underestimated again and again and again? Because I have seen girls run until their lungs burned, throw until their arms shook, fight battles no one clapped for. I have seen girls carry worlds quietly on narrow shoulders. Yet somehow girl became shorthand for failure. An insult disguised as grammar. You cry like a girl. You quit like a girl. You’re just a girl. Just? Just the ones who survive a thousand tiny dismissals. Just the ones who grow armor where confidence should have been handed freely. Just the ones who learn strength without ever being allowed to look strong. So say it again. Say “like a girl” like it’s something small. And I’ll hear — Like relentless. Like fierce. Like the mistake you made underestimating her.
0
Mar 30
Mar 30, 2026 at 8:19 PM UTC
Like a Girl
They say it like a warning. Like a flaw. Like something soft and breakable and less. You throw like a girl. You run like a girl. You fight like a girl. As if girl means crooked. Weak. Almost. As if girl means not enough. But tell me — What does “like a girl” even look like? Like scraped knees from learning anyway? Like voices hoarse from shouting over laughter? Like teeth clenched from being underestimated again and again and again? Because I have seen girls run until their lungs burned, throw until their arms shook, fight battles no one clapped for. I have seen girls carry worlds quietly on narrow shoulders. Yet somehow girl became shorthand for failure. An insult disguised as grammar. You cry like a girl. You quit like a girl. You’re just a girl. Just? Just the ones who survive a thousand tiny dismissals. Just the ones who grow armor where confidence should have been handed freely. Just the ones who learn strength without ever being allowed to look strong. So say it again. Say “like a girl” like it’s something small. And I’ll hear — Like relentless. Like fierce. Like the mistake you made underestimating her.
Say it again.
#feminism#strength#gender#power#reclaiming
firebirdie
Written by
firebirdie
15
Mar 30
Mar 30, 2026 at 8:19 PM UTC
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