The world keeps telling me

what to do:

please turn your lips up

and don’t wear that

wear this instead

eat less and

move more and

be happy with what you have

it’s who you are

but don’t be content enough

(‘cos there are things

to sell you here)

take it up with them–

no, not me–

eat your greens

forget red meat

but support the local food chain

and please

there’s no need to shout

only your polite whispers

get answers;

no, we do not need to hear

what you mean–

be you

but just in the way

that suits

me

suits us

suits men

instead.