When I was younger...

When I was younger
Said I wouldn't be any dumber
Than those women and/or girls that live for a man

When I was younger
Said I would not sacrifice myself to be with a man
Like those women and/or girls that don't put themselves first

When I was younger
Said I would not cry many a eternal tear over a man
Like those women and/or girls that didn't love themselves enough to expect better

When I was younger
Said I would not write four page letters
Like those women and/or girls that couldn't articulate their needs

When I was younger
Said I would never let a man plant a seed of love, of deceit, of misery within me
Like those women and/or girls that didn't have enough love at home

When I was younger
Said I would never resort to prose or poem when I was in need of clarity
Like those women and/or girls that couldn't find the breath to speak up

When I was younger
Said I would never love a man
Like those women and/or girls