I am a strong woman

I’ve never felt so small as a woman 
As I do right now 
I’m so used to pushing my opinions across to people 
When In reality 
I’m hiding 
How do I call myself a feminist 
When I allow myself to be walked over 
By male ideas of who I should be 
I dress myself up 
To be what you want 
But I’m no longer what I want 
She doesn’t belong to me anymore 
You can have her
I’m so disconnected from myself 
And my views 
I tell myself 
I am a strong woman 
I am a strong woman 
I am a strong woman
but I’m weak 
I break easily 
I want you to feel that pain 
I want you to understand how it feels to be a woman

The moment you’re born
You’re born into being less than
You’re born into pink
Told to wear dresses
But not too short
For that will distract the boys
Told beauty is more important than intelligence
A man will only be attracted to you for your appearance
Your worth only stretches as far as being a housewife
Remember to have children while you’re young
But not too young
you don’t want to be considered a whore
Learn never to speak your mind
For you will always be wrong
And never express suspicious
Do you want to be known as a psychopath?
Learn to be grateful for when a man finally chooses you
And know that your value starts and ends with him

Or choose the difficult route
choose to rebel
Wear your skirt as short as you please
Show as much skin as you want
Speak your mind
And neglect to care who it offends
Educate yourself as much as possible
And crush people with your knowledge
Build yourself a career
Use the men that doubt you as stepping stones to get to where you want to be
And never ever doubt yourself

For to be a woman 
Who is aware of all the criticism she will get 
For being whoever she wants to be
Yet still have the courage to do so
You can tell yourself 
I am a strong woman
And believe it.