We say,

"Why do I have to close my legs?"

when we're eight, or nine

sitting at the picnic bench

in a pair of Bermuda shorts

You say,

"It's unladylike to keep them open,"

and we don't know

what that means

but we do it, because being unladylike

doesn't attract boys.

We say,

"Why can't I wear a skirt?"

when we're ten, or twelve

sitting in the classroom

in ninety-five degree weather

You say,

"It's distracting to the boys in the room,"

and we know

that boys aren't animals

we're just being sexualized

but we do it, because being distracting

doesn't get us educated.

We say,

"Why are girls raped?"

when we're thirteen, or fourteen

sitting on our phones

scrolling through Teen Vogue

You say,

"They dress like sluts,"

and we don't know

why the victim is blamed

but we accept it, because not accepting it

doesn't change rape culture.

We say,

"Why do boys stare at my chest?"

when we're sixteen, or seventeen

sitting on the bleachers

wearing that cute dress

You say,

"Because your body is mature,"

and we know

you really mean my body is an object

but we ignore the stares, because covering up

doesn't get us compliments.

We say,

"Why do I get shamed when I comply?"

when we're any age, any grade

sitting anywhere

doing anything

You say,

"Because that's just how it is,"

and we know

you just mean it's because we are girls

but we just sit, because fighting back

doesn't make us attractive.

You sweared you'll change, but what did you mean?

Promise, you said, but did you mean it?

Nothing has happened, nothing has changed.

Did you mean it, or was it another lie?

It’s been 2 weeks and you still don’t talk to us.

You still don’t acknowledge us.

You still haven't even apologise in person.

Is this what you think a promise is?

It’s been 2 weeks and you still haven't said a word to me.

You haven't smiled or waved to me.

You haven't even looked me in the eyes.

When will you change like you said you would?

When will you make an effort like you said you would.

You lied, again.

Maybe a promise doesn’t mean much to you but it does to me.

You gave me hope.

Hope that things could go back to normal.

Hope that we could be friends again.

Then you took it away just like you did every other time.

Maybe you didn't mean your promise, but I mean this,

I promise you,

I’m done.

It's funny how hello is always accompanied with goodbye.

It's funny how good memories can start to make you cry.

It's funny how forever never seems to last.

It's funny how much you'd lose if you forgot about your past.

It's funny how “friends” can just leave when you are down.

It's funny how when you need someone they never are around.

It's funny how people change and think they're so much better.

It's funny how many lies are packed into one “love letter”.

It's funny how one night can contain so much regret.

It's funny how you can forgive but not forget.

It's funny how ironic life turns out to be.

But the funniest part of all: none of that's funny to me.

You hurt my friends and destroyed friendships.

You hurt us, then said sorry,

But sorry doesn't always cut it.

You ignored us and said mean things to us.

You hurt us, then said sorry,

But sorry doesn't always cut it.

You lied to us and were rude to us.

You hurt us, then said sorry,

But sorry doesn't always cut it.

You said mean things about us behind our backs and told people not to talk to us.

You hurt us, then said sorry,

But sorry doesn't always cut it.

Sorry won't cut it this time. I've spent to much time with people who I thought were my friends then turned around and stabbed me in the back so im sorry,

But sorry won't cut it. Not this time.

Cutting through your smile.

A knife slicing through the light.

Creeping into your senses.

Crawling up through your eyes.

Drowning you in pools

of darker blood and tears

than you've ever cried before.

Drenching you in fear

that you cannot shake away;

like you've never been so unsure.

It makes you want to cry,

like the pain that you feel

when you're too numb to feel at all.

It makes you feel so low,

then with each low comes a shove

that makes you crash and fall.

It's too hard to explain,

when panick brushes over you.

Taking over your brain.

It's a curse that never lets go of you.

Cut me with your knives,

drench me in your blood,

I don't really care.

Creep over me and cry,

because I've suffered so much

that it isn't really there.

It makes you want to cry,

like the pain that you feel

when you're too numb to feel at all.

It makes you want to sigh,

and cover up your ears

just so you can finally crawl

away.

You wait for them

But they never come

You can take a bullet for them

But they will be behind the trigger

You believe in them

But they lie to you

You will help them

But they will hurt you

You give them your friendship

But they crush it

You lose

And they win

As a woman, I am ever so grateful

Feminists before me, their hearts so full

Perplexed as to why women weren't treated as humans

Fought for us, to stand beside the man

I fight for and with feminists and approve of their message

Because I simply depend on it

And if I ever have a daughter, I'd want her to grow up being a feminist too.

A boy strumming a guitar and singing to someone he loves.

A woman laughing with her husband over video call.

A girl and her best friend getting coffee and chatting.

A little boy learning to ride a bike for the first time.

A group of girls having a heated pillow fight.

A mother singing happily to her little baby in her arms.

A sister smiling into her phone calling her college-aged brother.

A father going on a walk with his daughter in the autumn and collecting leaves.

A brother standing up for his sister on the playground.

A teacher helping a student find their confidence.

A teen texting a friend and laughing so loud the people in the coffee shop stare.

A student taking a test and feeling confident afterward that they aced it.

A person hugging a stranger when they see them crying.

A toddler holding out their hand to a stranger when they see they've fallen.

A baby getting kisses from someone's dog who happens to be very friendly.

A person dancing in public with headphones on and not giving a damn.

A lover writing a letter to their partner whose long-distance relationship is going strong.

A gay person feeling welcomed into their church after they've come out.

A mean girl realizing she should have been nicer to the other girls.

A girl loving other girls and boys.

A boy loving other boys and girls.

A person loving other people.

Everyone loving each other.

Because happiness comes from out hearts.

And without love, we are not happy.

So love with everything you have.

Especially now that the world is so full of hatred.

And we will be happy enough to smile.