Like a Girl

When you tell me I run

"like a girl"

Australia's Melissa Wu
Photo: abc.net.au

You're telling me I run with grace and poise.

When you tell me I throw

"like a girl"

You're telling me I throw with strength and power.

When you tell me I jump

"like a girl"

You're telling I jump with more force of will and ambition than you have ever seen.

When you tell me I think

"like a girl"

You're telling me what I already know--

That you have forced yourself into labeling me,

that you have allowed yourself to be duped into the false security

of assumptions.

Australia's Sally Pearson
Photo: abc.net.au

I do throw

"like a girl",

I throw with power and calculated force.

I threw you for a loop, didn't I?

I threw you off,

startled you,

gave you what you didn't expect,

proved you wrong,

you don't have to tell me twice,                   
I already know.

Photo: naaree.com

You can't change me by telling me what you think I don't want to hear,

Can't insult me with your words,

Because I hear your words for what they really are--

Your insecurity.

Photo: tedxwaterloo.com

So I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing--

I'll keep on being me--

And if that upsets you,

I'll even respond

"like a girl"--

With the self assurance and the knowledge

that I am who I want to be.

So the next time you tell me I do something

"like a girl",

I'll say

"thank you!"

And I'll walk away like a

Woman--

Like

Me.

 USA's Sanya Richards Ross
Photo: csmonitor.com