TELL THE CHILD

Tell the girl child
that accepting defeat is not cowardice
and standing up to her right is not rebellion
Teach her that anatomy is not a measure of one's destiny
and that silence is only a virtue in circumstance

Tell the girl child
that weakness is not submission to virtue
and strength is not stubbornness to authority
teach her that respect is earned
not by sheer pretense of character
but by honest resolve

Tell the girl child
that learning to become a man is living a lie
and that becoming a quintessential maiden is birthed through uniqueness
tell her that learning is earning
that the only difference is the L which represent long-suffering

Tell the girl child
that the 'body must be left behind
in order to love the soul
teach her not to confuse love for lust
for both come in the cloak of wistful lies of sweet nothings

Tell the girl child
that in fear is one's strength measured
and in strength and power
is one's humanity weighed
tell her that what actually appears as weakness
could actually be her strength

Tell the girl child
that in order to gain considerable current resonance
she must compete with herself not with a man
tell her that a good attitude and aptitude determines her altitude and not big hips and beautiful face
tell the girl child that having sublime faith in herself
is building the foundations of a better tomorrow