She’s so beautiful

Always smiling

Such a nice girl.

Don’t ruffle too many feathers

Learn to play nice

Don’t speak too loudly

Or say what you really mean

‘Cause you might hurt someone else’s feelings

And that’s not what nice girls do

16 years old

Felt like I couldn’t say no

22, same story

Guess some habits are hard to let go

They tell us we are equal

but now i’m not so sure

70 cents for every dollar

Tell me, is that what you look for?

They tell me to take your last name

And scoff at the proposition
That you take mine

Equality, freedom, respect, and choices

Well, I guess these things take time

So don’t go asking my dad

For the permission I don’t need

Don’t be surprised
if I don’t smile all the time

Don’t be alarmed when I call it like it is

Gender roles, society

Sugar coat it all you like

Sexism isn’t too drastic

It’s still full well alive

So call it out

and chop it up

Unless you want to be a “nice girl.”