The little black top
with the plunging neckline
winks at me
from the corner of my closet
but the red polka dot
crew neck
is best friends
with my skinny jeans
and the PTA.
My red lipstick taunts me
on the counter
unused
unloved
the creamy neutral next to it
almost empty
"you don't need makeup"
"red is for those women"
"Wow! That's Bright!"
I put on my favorite
strappy heels
__ SLUT!
then take them off
again.
My nude heels shout
"He likes me better!"
I lay back on my bed
lost? defeated?
"You should get a real job"
"You should be grateful."
"You should dress your age."
"You should be skinnier"
"You should drink less wine"
"You shouldn't always say what you think"
"You shouldn't talk so much about sex"
All these razor-tipped voices
in my head
constantly cut me
down
until I fit just right
inside a mold
that turns me into
what the world
is comfortable
seeing
About the Creator
Ellie Hoovs
Breathing life into the lost and broken. Writes to mend what fire couldn't destroy. Poetry stitched from ashes, longing, and stubborn hope.
My Poetry Collection DEMORTALIZING is out now!!!: https://a.co/d/5fqwmEb
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By Ellie HoovsExclusive • 5 months ago
Comments (2)
Goodness, this is good. All those 'you should' voices that stop us .. The sense of having to conform is so strong at times. As someone just starting to get comfortable wearing the clothes I want to wear and reflect me, so much of this relates. Like those thoughts of what others will think or say about it! .Amazing writing! 🩷
So creative