By
Talia J Lyn-Cook
BSc Anthropology
hyperfeminine. soft girl.
chic girl. *that girl.*
~ modern phrases we use to describe ourselves
ruler. apple.
pear. hourglass.
~ **objects** we use to describe ourselves
We as women will never learn, will we?
We, in our frustration, express our dissatisfaction in ourselves
Hand it over to society and they store it away until it’s time to throw it in our faces. Unexpectedly.
We forever scream our desires to not be squashed into tiny boxes
And instead of smashing them to the ground with our unbelievable truths-
We are found in those **same** boxes
After mindlessly climbing into them ourselves.
“I look disgusting,” she mutters.
Her true self: the most beautiful soul to ever exist somehow misconstrued and obstructed by her current mindset.
*She fails to see* that shoulders she so desperately wants to hide, carry the heads of her weary loved ones.
*She fails to see* that the stomach she so desperately wants to hide, will one day hold a future generation.
*She fails to see* that the nose she so desperately wishes was the shape of another, effortlessly identifies the missing ingredient in the food she uses to unify.
**We** *fail to remember* that outer beauty will fade.
Nurturing the soul will endure through much more
than your stay-all-day setting spray
Indira Gandhi, remembered for her risk taking.
Remembered for leading her country to independence.
Remembered for smashing the box the British forced upon her.
Remembered for being more than they expected a little Indian girl to be.
Misty Copeland, known for her open-minded nature.
Known for persevering and being the representation she lacked.
Known for smashing the box the performance industry forced upon her.
Known for being more than they *ever* expected an African American girl to be.
beautiful. caring.
integral. intelligent.
~ words we **should** use to describe ourselves
