I am tired of
being told I shouldn’t be afraid
when things are scary
because, you know, fear
makes you sick
as if suppressing fear
is the way to health.

And never mind that
telling me about fear
is just a bit ironic
because I’ve studied it.
I learned that’s
called mansplaining.

I am tired of
being told I shouldn’t cry
when things are so sad
when it looks we’ve lost so much
when mourning removes the
block
when it helps me fight.

And when I explain,
challenge the view
that crying is a waste of time,
I am told that I pontificate
as if a woman can be pope.

I am tired of
being told what I should
and shouldn’t do
when I should do something
when I should say something
what I can say
and what I cannot say.

I am done, well, close to done
of being afraid of being told.