JULY 2014
46
People tell me to breathe in like a tiger
but they don't want me to roar
because that just means I'm stronger
than before
and who would ever want that?
I'm not one to argue
but don't expect me to smile all the time
and always think you're right.
People will look at me and see a tiger
just like the one they encouraged me
to be
and yet, when I open my mouth
they'll still run
because I'm supposed to be fierce
and polished
loud and quiet
wild and modest,
depending on the time.
I should be
brilliant but not too smart,
opinionated but only
if the general public agrees.
And they think I should
probably be a little better
at defending myself.
"Be strong," they say,
"as long as you're not strong enough
to break out of your cage."
Locked In
These Standards
by Paige Sheffield