by Winifred E., 17
If you are slim,
they call you fragile.
If you are thick,
they call you too much.
If you are tall,
they say you’re intimidating.
If you are short,
they say you’re weak.
If you wear makeup,
you’re fake.
If you don’t,
you’re plain.
If your style is bold,
you’re showy.
If it’s simple,
you’re invisible.
So tell me,
where is the place
a woman can simply exist
without her body, her choices,
her very being
becoming everyone’s debate?
Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Bridge Ink 