Noncomformity
I don't like bras.
Haven't worn one in some time.
They're tight and uncomfortable.
Been told I just haven't had it fitted-
never got the right kind
but I felt wrong in my skin.
It was holding me back;
I couldn't breathe.
You don't need to know this,
so why am I telling you?
Because it is okay
to go against the grain.
I was pulled aside in the third grade.
My teacher told me it was inappropriate
for a developing young lady
to not cover up.
I was out of uniform;
boys and men might get the wrong idea.
I felt embarrassed and ashamed.
Forced to wear a bra.
Not long after,
I felt restrained.
My mom did what she'd always done:
fein outrage then do the same things.
As time went on,
so did their persistence.
Wear a bra.
Cover up.
Who are you putting that makeup on for?
Shave your legs.
Shave your pits.
Lose some weight.
Upon coming out,
they remained adamant I was straight.
Go to college.
Get a job.
No, not that job.
Work harder.
You're working too much.
Work less.
Do this.
Do that,
but only how I want you too.
Go to church.
Return to Jesus.
A constant push and pull.
A tug of war on my very soul.
It took me a long time
to learn how to ignore it.
It took me a long time
to feel comfortable
in my own skin.
Why are we hated
for making our own life choices?
I didn't sign this socal contract-
I was born into it.
Written by AprilFool 🐸
4/18/2026















