You can’t.

You won’t.

You shouldn’t.

These are the phrases we often get told.

You can.

You will.

You should.

These are the phrases we never get told.

Why do others tell women what they can and cannot do?

Why do others discourage women that are capable of changing the world?

Why should others have any say in a woman’s ability to take off and fly?

I am me, the only person I’ll ever be.

I’m average, dull, and far from interesting.

I live life from pay check to pay check and most people in my life chose to take the exit.

I’m really not worth your time.

But wait, I lied.

I’ve learned its no longer time to hide.

I’ve learned that there’s more to me than I let off or give myself credit for.

Before you exit, hear me out.

I’m no longer that small, insecure, naive little girl.

I’ve lived more of my life.

I’ve been hurt.

I’ve had my eyes open.

But most importantly,

I’ve found myself.

I’m a woman with aspirations, emotions, and so much God damn potential.

I’m so strong, so beautiful, and so passionate.

I love and trust to my fullest even when it comes back to bite me in the ass.

I work so hard,

I never give up,

and I believe in myself.

I know I can do anything.

I’m what most would call your worst nightmare.

If you can’t see it, if you can’t see me, I encourage you to continue on your way towards the exit.

Go join the others who never believed in, or loved, the real me.

I’m more than average,

I’m more than dull,

and I’m interesting as hell.

I am me.

Poor little girl, sad again.

Your lips are your enemy,

but yet you're back at it again

with the lies and drama.

Do you know how to act like an older girl?

Poor little girl, you have no friends.

It's all your fault, it's always been.

Why start up problems, when everything is going so well?

Oh, yeah.

You stopped being the center of attention.

I really don't like you poor girl.

You make a problem, then run.

You over exaggerate, cry, and lie.

It helps you win your continuous game.

But, it's getting old, it's time you lose.

All because I'm bad and smarter than you.

I hear them. I hear all of it. I hear everything.

I'm gifted to hear the cries and screams for help.

I'm gifted to hear the gunshots and bombs go off.

But. Instead.

I listen to gossip and insults towards myself.

I hear them. I hear all of it. I hear everything. 

Sometimes it's hard to block out what I should really be listening to and what I should really be acting on. 

Sometimes I want to run and help after I hear a cry, a gun, a scream, a bomb. 

I should do that, it's what I was born to do, but I don't. 

Not since I changed.

I'd rather know what people think of me. My insecurities are my priority. 

How can I change to make him love me? How can I change to have a perfect family?

What's wrong with me?

I am a super hero after all.

But this time I was the one to fall. Just like someone normal, not super at all. 

Small but bright, it brings a light.

A little flame dancing, burning.

Solid to liquid, it brings a scent.

A pool of wax swimming, turning.

As time goes on the little flame dies,

it doesn't dance, it doesn't burn.

The pool of wax hardens, and loses its scent,

it doesn't swim, it doesn't turn.

Was, while filled with a spirit,

Blushed and strong, loved and warm.

Always smiling.

Now, deserted,

Pale, frail, empty and cold.

No longer smiling.

Was, while breathing and living,

happy and wild, dancing and singing.

Now, breathless and dead,

Emotionless, tamed, rotting, and disintegrating.

What once was, now isn’t.