She had been taught how to cook
Her steak to perfection, and
To pluck her eyebrows well.
Never the tactics to pull her own luggage,
Or to fix a leaking tap, or
Change a faulty bulb.
She had been taught to speak softly,
And not cause pandemonium, and
Converse in head nods and tight lipped smiles;
To never giggle or cause commotion.
She wondered why wasn't she taught
To react while being groped, how to
Kick someone right in the shin
So they'd topple clutching their feet, or
How to elbow in the ribs, for
She had only been taught how to
Sit with poise, with palms on the lap;
How to cross and uncross, and
Tangle and spread, and tuck under
The knees and cross at the ankles, and
More ways to sit like a girl while
Wearing a skirt.
****
~Nida
