waxing poetic

I never really learned
To be a girl.

I would have rather worn a tux
To my First Communion
Than a damn frilly dress.

I played with Hot Wheels, then Pokemon cards
And eschewed Barbies and pretty dolls.

I preferred cutoff jeans
And t-shirts
To floral prints and skirts.

My hair was always down,
Even when playing soccer,
Until I was in my teens.

I didn't learn to braid,
Or twist, or wrap, or bun,
And my ponytails have bumps.

My nails are chewed and stubby
And when and if I paint them
It's clumsy and gets smudged.

I wear foundation,
Not to appear tan,
But to cover the zits
That linger from adolescence.

I'll wear eyeliner
And that's it
Partially because
I'm not good at the other stuff.

I don't need heels
Which is good
Because they make me wobble.

I'm bad at dancing,
Clubbing or choreography,
Line or waltz.

Yes, I
Never learned
To be a girl.

But that never stopped me
From becoming a woman.