They thought they taught me how to be a woman...
    Expected to be strong hearted with a sharpened tongue and a backbone made of steel,
   Masquerading underneath a veil of indifference and resilience.
    Never showing lack thereof nor revealing weakness, but instead to take the lashes of sexism to the backside with ease:
   Taught to work finger to fragile bone, to stand ground on pained soles... Then commended for being a "woman"!
   Am I only good for surviving toil?
To be trampled over by the societal ideal that a woman is only known for making do with what's left to her?
NO.
They only thought they told me how to be a woman.
A woman is more than just a showcase of her strength.
She deserves more than the applause for her taking more than what or who's child she can bear.
  A woman is neither her survival nor misfortune. A woman's essence lies between her pain and her strength to rise.