they say I used to be so free,
 as if I set that freedom down
 somewhere careless
 and forgot to pick it back up.

apology to the mirror

 i say sorry to the mirror
 for looking away too fast.
 for calling her names
 that no one deserves.

They won’t teach me how to be a woman— 
But they’ll notice when I’m not. 
Say I should smile more, try harder, 
Be brighter, quieter, 
Less me, more what they forgot.