societal throne

idealistic pictures
gender roles, imprinted onto
the signs of doors, and into advertisements
and henceforth, into the back of your mind

you try not to acknowledge it, like
an itch that you cannot scratch. you try to ignore it,
but damn, it's a painfully obvious hatch. so let's open
up, see whats in store, it's the door at the end of the hall
that your mother told you to ignore.

girl - when i say it,
you get a picture in your mind.
probably long hair, whether black, blonde, or perhaps rye.
stereotypical, feminine things, like painted nails and
skirts - teenage girls in the bathrooms of school, talking
about which boys are flirts.

boy - this one, in fact, requires a whole different technique
big, bronzed muscles, six packs, abs that are sleek!
must be fit! and be into sports! must wear flannels
some days, and be fit to escort. it doesn't matter
if you're sexist - you'll be awarded for being so
and whatever girls say, who cares, that's got to go!
be strong! and don't have feelings! you'll find
yourself falling short. you see, this society's
point of view quite honestly falls short.

don't feel bad, my dear - it isn't just you
you see, this world, doesn't approve of the unknown;
it takes what's new and throws it to its knees
at a harsh, societal throne.