By Stella, TIWP Student

The wish started in first grade:
superpowers, two specifically,
invisibility and teleportation.
(I debated flight but
that would draw too much attention.)

School was way too boring.
I made my plan to escape class,
turn invisible then teleport out
and no one would notice I’m gone.
I could go anywhere I wanted.

But that’s just a dream.
I’m pulled back to the rainbow rug,
sitting crisscross applesauce,
rubbing my hand along the synthetic fiber,
the coarse texture repeating under my palm.

I still wish I had superpowers
but now, for entirely different reasons.
The invisibility isn’t to escape,
but to hide.

I stick out like a sore thumb
in any crowd,
towering over my friends,
all perfect, petite, dainty,

I am far too big,
stalky and long,
reaching the average height for men.
“Lets compare hand sizes.”
One of the sentences I hate the most.

I am also far too loud.
I talk and I talk
and I don’t know when to stop.
I feel eyes roll as I continue.

And I share my opinions
and I make my feelings known.
I don’t comply.
And… wait…

How could these things “de-feminize” me?
I am bold, loud, courageous.
I am smart, athletic, and undefeated this season.
All of these things that make me amazing
Come from the things that I try to hide.

Who set this standard for feminism?
Who said that to be a “lady” I have to hide?
It’s entirely untrue!
I am proud and I stand tall and I don’t hide!
I am a woman.

I will wear pink
while telling you how I feel about politics.
And so can anyone else.
Because the standard for feminism is
anything you want it to be.