So Help You God
a poem for girlhood
Published in
Jan 9, 2024
Why do you pull your hair
Dear girl,
Are you caressing yourself?
Or you’d wish to cut off the chestnut locks,
Pluck out the bows mom put on
Hide the comb that’s chasing you
Every morning
Is it the hair, the layer that claims
You are a girl and nothing but a girl
So help you god
Why do you bite your nails
Dear girl,
Are you eating yourself up?
Hoping new wisdom will grow,
Beheaded fingers
Praying for time
And forgiveness,
You didn’t choose to be such a girl
And nothing but a girl
So help you god
Why do you clench your teeth
Dear girl,
Do they speak
In an unspoken voice
Turning to dust
Leaving traces
Whispering the mantra
You’re a girl
And nothing but a girl
So help you god
© Radmila S. van Os 2024
