a poem by Valcyera Assad
To be gentle, but never fragile.
To be strong, but never imposing.
To hustle, but with grace.
To fight, but in a whisper.
Stay composed.
Stay agreeable.
Stay in your place.
Take up space–
But not too much.
Be bold–
But not too loud.
Lead–
But never at the expense of comfort.
Make no enemies.
Step on no toes.
Hold it all together, but never let them see the weight.
Too much.
Too little.
Never enough.
But today, I unwrite these rules.
Today, I refuse to shrink.
I will take up space with no apology.
I will move, loud and untamed.
I will step forward, even if the ground trembles beneath me.
I will be everything I am–
Without permission.
Without restraint.
I will be a Woman—on my own terms.
