Christmas- a time for family, love
And cheer. But not for me. You, a man in
Uniform: a savior to those you risk your life
For. Speeding into the distance in your shiny truck,

Leaving behind what was once a beautiful house-
Now a pile of ashes and smoke.
I am that shattered home.

Maybe that’s why it was so easy for you. To tell me
That I am a girl. Yeah, I know, but thanks for telling me.

My checks flame red. You don’t have a fire hose
To put out the flames. I am screaming inside,
Can’t you hear me? No, you turn away- are you ashamed?
Are you? Now that you have a little girl of your own? What if
Someone told her what you told me? What would you do?
I tried to stand up to you, but you shrugged me off.

Please forgive me for trying to help- I knew your back
Was bothering you… It was a lounge chair- it looked
Heavy. I grabbed one side when you lifted it
Yourself: it wasn’t that heavy. I could have moved it.

But you had a different idea. How about getting a man to help-
Since they are so much more able than a girl.

But did you know, I took gymnastics for a couple years,
How many… six? I push the boat out from the dock
And pull it back in. I am not your ordinary girl.
You have known me for awhile. You should know that.

I am a girl, but I am not a china doll. Sure, I wear dresses and like
To look nice, but I am capable of moving, of lifting, of living.
I have heard that anyone can do anything that they want,
As long as they aren’t hurting someone else…
Is this true? Do you believe this?
Are you truly chauvinistic or is this just an act on display?

You were a stranger that day, a thief. You
Stole my dignity, my hope, my image of you. I now see you as a
Paradox. You can be the hero or the villain. Whoever you
Are, you caused me to break. But I just want to tell you,
That I am proud to be a girl and I won’t be that shattered home.