An ode to cis and trans females
They ask you to bow down
Hold your chin up
They ask you to keep your eyes low
Look straight into their eyes
They ask you to cover up
Wear whatever you feel like, wear nothing at all
They ask you to stay home
Go out. Go out whenever you want to
They ask you to come home before dusk
You are the dervish of the night, the night was made for you
They ask you to be shy
Be loud and proud
They ask you to smile less or not smile
Smile often, smile to yourself, smile to the unknown, smile wide
They ask you not to laugh
But you must laugh like Surpanakha[i], unapologetic and uninhibited
They ask you to be quiet
Make noise and break the silences
They ask you to speak less or not speak
Speak for yourself, speak for your cause, speak for others, speak you must
They ask you to obey
Only listen to yourself and often disobey
They ask you to fear
Do not. Stand up to their tyranny
They ask you to be meek and mellow
Remember you are a fighter and fight for life, love and freedom
Fight for yourself and what is rightfully yours
Fight for others who are wronged too
Fight and do not give up
Because as long as you fight
They cannot own you
Fight and do not give up
Because as long as you fight
There is hope of a better world
And you are a rebel with a cause
You are a rebel without a pause
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