Don't tell me to smile,
give me a reason to.
It takes too long
to count all my scars.
I get distracted by the pain
halfway through
and lose count,
like trying to count the stars
in the night sky.
"Not like other girls"
is not a compliment.
It's patriarchy.
I won't clean up after you
or make you a sandwich.
Keep it 50/50,
but don't keep score.
I'm a mystery
you don't have the time
nor the inclination
to figure out.
"Intimidating" says more about you
than it does about me.
I make references
you would get
if you paid attention,
but you can't afford it.
If you buy me flowers
I'll watch them rot in the vase.