i was told as a little girl

to stay quiet

when i really meant stop.

boys only tug on girls’ hair

when they really mean she’s pretty.

i was told as a little girl

to never scream at the shadows.

they were gardeners, planting

violet kisses between my ribs.

the flowers would fade

eventually.

but a good little girl

must not make a fuss

when the monsters

are only trying to tell her

how pretty she is.

i was told as a little girl

that you must never beg

when the boogeyman

swallows you whole.

all he ever wanted

was a pretty girl

to love him.