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My Mama often chastised me

Stand up to your full height girl

Straighten your spine

Lift your chest

Long neck child

Get rid of that submission bone

in your back

that has you looking down

all the time.

Eyes up

Look ahead

Make eye contact

with the people you meet

Study hard, learn well

Strive for the highest mark

Be popular

Get involved in the world around you

Be a good example

for your little sisters

I tried to do what my Mama said

But the girl cowering in my mirror

was always too…

     Too fat, too skinny

     Too normal, too wierd

     Too coarse, too strict, too bold

     Too sweet, too jealous, too proud

     Too timid, too loud

     Too confused, too scared, too willing

     Too lazy, too smart, too curious, too poor

     Too insignificant

 To make a difference.