"Ladylike" by Ayanni De Leon
Ladylike
Hello there, I'm ladylike
I sit with my legs closed and my mouth shut
I only speak when spoken to and I don't speak out of turn
I walk down the street with my back straight and hips moving to each side
I accept the cat calling and say thank you when I'm complimented
To do otherwise would be unacceptable
What kind of woman speaks her mind?
The type that is unladylike
When I'm groped on the train I smile and look Aaway
It is my lucky day after all, a man has acknowledged me
When asked for my number I must give in
I'm the fortunate girl who earned a date with a stranger
Who am I to reject the yearning for attention?
On my dates, I sit with my legs closed and my mouth shut
I only speak when spoken to and I don't speak out of turn
But when he insists I go home with him I say no, or do I say yes?
To say no would be awful for his self-esteem but to say yes would make me unladylike
Do I just follow his will or decide for myself?
I mean, I am just a lady who mustn't think for herself
A lady does as she's told
So I say yes when he orders me to get into the car
I say yes when he tells me to lay on the bed
He says yes when he slides his hand up my skirt
I scream no in my head but I can't reject him
Who am I to reject his yearning for affection?
When I'm groped, I smile and look away
It is my lucky day after all, a man has acknowledged me
Ayanni is an artist and writer from Monterrey, Mexico, currently living in Chicago. This is her first publication. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram @ayanni.joan.
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