“ Don’t frown. Smile, people will think I am hurting you.”
So I smile.
“ don’t wear that , I know what boys think .”
So I change.
“ Don’t say anything. Just sit. “
So I smile and sit.
“ if anyone ever asks , everything is okay .”
… right. ‘ everything is ok’
“ Smile. Remember smile. People will question me, and I don’t want that .”
So I begin to remember everything I am taught.
I must be obedient. I must be modest . I must be silent. I must be perfect. I must be happy. I must be out of sight unless summoned. I must not be too pretty, not too unkempt or sloppy. I must not slouch.
I must not tempt men. I must not speak.
I must not upset the hands that care for me.
I must smile. I must be poised and graceful.
Easy. Just smile.
No one must know.
Dec 21, 2021
Dec 21, 2021 at 7:50 PM UTC
“ Don’t frown. Smile, people will think I am hurting you.”
So I smile.
“ don’t wear that , I know what boys think .”
So I change.
“ Don’t say anything. Just sit. “
So I smile and sit.
“ if anyone ever asks , everything is okay .”
… right. ‘ everything is ok’
“ Smile. Remember smile. People will question me, and I don’t want that .”
So I begin to remember everything I am taught.
I must be obedient. I must be modest . I must be silent. I must be perfect. I must be happy. I must be out of sight unless summoned. I must not be too pretty, not too unkempt or sloppy. I must not slouch.
I must not tempt men. I must not speak.
I must not upset the hands that care for me.
I must smile. I must be poised and graceful.
Easy. Just smile.
No one must know.
