“Don’t Tell Me to Smile”by Mariah V.

Don’t tell me to smile.

Don’t walk up to me and say I’d be so much prettier, so much more pleasant,

if I just lit up my face with a bright grin.

Don’t say it’ll make your day.

That’s weird.

And more importantly

I am not here to do what you tell me.

When did it become okay to demand joy from strangers?

Is it because I’m a woman

and in your world,

a woman with a neutral face is a threat?

Unsettling?

Unacceptable?

Sorry

Let me rephrase that.

Is it in a man’s nature to think a woman should always wear a smile

when walking in his presence,

even when she’s just out here

minding her damn business?

Just let me be.

Can I exist without being told to perform happiness for you?

Do you know how weird it’d be if I walked around grinning 24/7?

You seen the movie Smile? (Have you send that movie smile )  

Exactly.

And no

I’m not mad.

I’m not sad.

Half the time, I’m just wondering

what I’m eating for dinner

or which bill I can afford to keep on

‘til the next paycheck drops.

But if I’m not smiling,

I’m labeled rude.

Angry.

Unapproachable.

Which is funny

because being unapproachable sounds kind of perfect

if you’re only walking up to critique my face.

Let me say it plain:

If you’re gonna interrupt my peace

to tell me to change me for you

then maybe you need to smile more.

Or better yet,

fuck off.

And if you come at me aggressive,

just know

I might show you what really puts a smile on my face:

kicking your ass.