It's Not Your Job

- Caitlyn Siehl

when your little girl
asks you if she’s pretty
your heart will drop like a wineglass
on the hardwood floor
part of you will want to say

of course you are, don’t ever question it

and the other part
the part that is clawing at you
will want to grab her by her shoulders
look straight into the wells of
her eyes until they echo back to you
and say

you do not have to be if you don’t want to
it is not your job

both will feel right
one will feel better

she will only understand the first
when she wants to cut her hair off
or wear her brother’s clothes

you will feel the words in your
mouth like marbles

you do not have to be pretty if you don’t want to
it is not your job