Lessons To Learn

Your lessons started young,

While you were still in the womb.

Your lullabies sang tunes

Of love, solidarity and, choice.

Sonographies ended with polaroids

Of you, your heartbeat

And rooms with walls to choose

Between purple, yellow, oranges

And the rainbow.

I told you stories

Of warriors and, goodness

After tucking you in bed.

As you crawled

And took your first step

Towards running,

I let you fall –

Hoping;

Hoping you’d learn it young.

Learn that you can never

Stop yourself from falling

But

You can always decide to stand up

Because falling can never be the crime;

Learn that you are complete in yourself,

That to give love beyond you,

You must have it within you;

For you.

Hoping you’d learn it young

That knights in shining armour

Weren’t always princes

And princesses weren’t always damsels

In corsets and cages;

That your genitals don’t decide

Your rights, and, excuse,

Opportunities, and choices.

Hoping you’d learn it young

That your privilege was a silver spoon

You didn’t choose to be born with

But choose to not keep in your mouth

And use it to create more for those without.

That your ideals aren’t showpieces

For vain display depending on convenience

But practised in inconvenience.

Hoping you’d learn it young

What I never did

And laugh at society when

They try to laugh at you;

Dictate you;

Belittle you

Or offer you free

Character certificates and,

Advice from good intentions.

Learn it young

That the norms you follow

Are yours to choose

And to create.

So that a few decades from now

When you’re filling out forms,

You know your career is

Yours to build;

When you’re shopping for footwear,

You know your feet are meant

For ballet shoes and, sneakers.

So that a few decades from now,

When you’re at the bar,

You know that you can order

A cosmopolitan for two.