men sometimes stare means there are sizes and colors and
you look in the mirror and barely recognize your own body
morphing and growing. this means your friends who are boys
read the writing across your chest and it is suddenly so interesting this means
teachers sour their eyes when you wear tank tops. it is important
what you choose to wear now people look at you on the street people
talk to you differently. you try on confidence and insecurity like
dresses at the department store think i look so good i look so huge
i look curvy i look so different. this is the thing about being a girl
they will laugh at you for loving your body they will laugh
at you for hating your body this is the thing. try on heels and smile
you are a miniature adult. men make their eyebrows dance when
you walk by you smile. you were always raised to be polite.

Lydia Wang is a 19-year-old writer, feminist, and caffeine enthusiast. Originally from Boston, she now lives in New York, where she studies creative writing and topics in social and cultural analysis at NYU. In her free time, she likes to spend too much money at the bookstore and fall in love with strangers on public transportation. Her poetry is forthcoming in The Rising Phoenix Review. Visit her online at poemsbylydia.tumblr.com.