In gym class we were playing hokey.
I was fighting for the ball when I was tripped
by a boy's stick. I fell and let out a scream.
I broke my wrist as I hit the ground.

I did not cry.
I would not cry.
I kept playing.

A few minutes later, I was fighting with a different
boy for the ball.
He went to slam the ball, but got my ankle instead.
Almost three months later- it's still bruised.

I did not cry.
I would not cry.
I kept playing.

In elementary school- I played kickball with the boys.
If someone got hurt and cried-
"Quit being such a girl. "
Would be the concensous of the group.

In high school when someone gets hurt
And they limp slightly, or sit out
"Quit being such a *****. "
Would be yelled to them.

Why is being "weak" associated with being a girl?
Why is crying, associate with weakness?
Why do people belittle others for crying?

I've never wanted to be weak.
So I stopped crying.

But here I'll stay-
Letting the water beat the girl out of me.

And I'll keep playing.