If I Had A Daughter

I'd be tempted to keep her from society.
Not for myself,
but to protect her soul.

To shield her from the poison that exists
in the sharp teeth of 
the monsters
who slither around 
and feast on
angelic beings.

Imagine
if there was a way
to assure that she would remain
unscathed,
unviolated,
unscarred,
unburdened 
by the travesty that is mankind

How content she would be
to never have to see herself 
through the scornful eyes of repugnant creatures
that only wish to use her 
for their own carnal desires

only to discard her once they've sucked every ounce of 
hope and wonder
from her veins.

She would never have to look at herself through
the lenses of what she is lacking
or what on her is too large
or too small
or asymmetrical.

In fact
it would never occur to her
to compare herself 
to every
single 
woman 
that exists

because 
in our world
every 
single
woman 
possesses a splendor that is 
unparalleled.

There's nobody here to 
misrepresent themselves as a prize 
and pose the absurd idea
of baseless competition.

I could create a world where
physical beauty would never be
emphasized
prioritized
idealized
weaponized
idolized
or
standardized.

And then she would never get wrapped up 
in a scheme
of products
or brands
and routines
in the name of achieving
desirability.

She needn't waste time or money on
such a monotonous concept.

She'd already know 
that she is perfectly her
and that she is enough.
Because there wouldn't exist anyone
who would treat her as
less than that,
or fabricate flaws
to further their own vile egos
by shoving hers down.

How light she would feel.
She could breathe
and skip
and dance
un-paralyzed by the thought of how
spirit-leeching vipers
might perceive her.

So
she would never try to shrink 
her expressions
out of worry that she'd appear too
angry,
irrational,
unreasonable.

Shrinking would be forbidden here.
She would be encouraged to rise
until she towered over all.
And lived among the clouds and the stars.

And it'd never cross her mind
to doubt
her knowledge
or talents
or the validity of her emotions
opinions
beliefs
concerns.

She would never feel like her presence is an inconvenience.
instead, she'd know she is a blessing.

She would never feel lucky to be anywhere.
instead, she'd know that she earned her spot
because she is perfectly qualified
and completely necessary.

Nor would she scurry to the ends of the earth
to seek out an obligatory romance 
as if it's her greatest aspiration.

She would not have to put her trust in a man
or a system that was set up by men
to watch her fail

because they don't exist here.

And she'd know that
the systems 
and passions
and ambitions
and everything she could ever need
exists within her 
mind, 
body,
soul,
spirit.

Her curiosity and naivete
would be celebrated
instead of shamed.

She would never be blamed
for a covetous beast's lack of control
around her.

Her lessons learned would be rewarding
instead of earth-shattering.

Her only transformation will come
with time
as is intended.
As is the natural progression of a woman's growth.

She would set forth and persist on 
one single path
because there is nobody to deviate her.

And she'd never have to acquaint herself
with her tormented shadow self 
because it would never form.

She would forever be
the original 
her.
just as she was born.

Full of vitality
and freedom.

Real
pure
freedom.