Personhood
Do not perceive me a Woman
For I am first an outline
I have thunderous rivers drawn over my waist,
Flooding my innocent shrine.
Do not perceive me a Woman,
My rolls don't allow me to sit.
We had skin and we had freedom,
Now nervous of how shirts fit.
Do not perceive me a Woman,
I skip dresses, crops and skirts.
I fail at this test called womanhood,
The tag upon my collar now hurts.
Do not perceive me a Woman,
Perceive me a Person instead.
See my heart, my brain, not my chest,
Love the person—leave the rest.
Perceive me a Person instead,
My worth is not my silhouette.
Mirrors judge. Ribbons become costumes.
Love should outgrow a smaller waist.
Perceive me a Person instead,
Let me wear my loose-fitted tee.
Let me not fear unfamiliar eyes,
Judging my shape, all sizes of me.
Perceive me a Person instead,
I have worn this skin paper-thin.
Don't you dare perceive me a Woman,
For tonight, I wish to be perceived
Without being seen.
~mimi
