To My Dainty Sisters
By Kathryn S. Gardiner
Stop being mice
in a rat race
Do not soften your voice
when you could bellow
Do not smile
just to keep the peace
Do not hang on his every word
and have none of your own
Do not giggle
when you want to scream
Do not suffer silent
if you want to weep
When you hit,
hit hard.
When you mean “Fuck off,”
say it.
When you say “I love you,”
mean it.
Expand, take up space
because it’s yours to fill
A small frame
does not mean you are
small.