Pretty Yellow Dress

They dressed me in yellow from my head to my toenails. They said it was beautiful, like sunshine, rainbows, and flowers on Sunday morning. The dress was frilly, my hair pressed smooth. And the tips of my ears sizzled and burned from the heat of the hot comb--my edges had to be straight. Hush now, don't you want to be pretty?

Pigtails crossed over the top of my head, two long ones hung down my back. Yellow rubber bands pulled so tight not a single strand was strong enough to escape. Girl, sit still. Stop squirming around. I will brush your baby hair and grease it down. Honey hush, that's nothing to cry about.

Yellow bobby socks with white lace trim pulled over yellow baby toes shaped like M&M's. Black patent leather shoes with my feet trapped inside resisted the urge to run and hide. Hold on, wait a minute, that's not quite right. Wear white shoes, sit down, cross your legs, place your hands at your sides. Yes, that's right.

You're a beautiful sight to behold. Are you proud of what you see?

I don't want to be a pretty girl, I want to be myself. My hair is not straight, and I'm not too fond of frills.

All girls wear dresses-- yellow, pink and blue.

Are all girls rainbows, even you?

We looked at each other; she had nothing to say.

Then I am a rainbow. I will bend and sway. There isn't a straight rainbow in the sky, so I don't have to dress your way.

I won't wear pretty yellow dresses or be the pretty little girl you expect me to be. But, I will take pride in being me.