Cry softly little one,
Don’t shut your eyes and dream,
Don’t laugh your heart out,
And scream,
For you were born a girl.

Love not pretty one.
Don’t give up your heart
And sigh,
Give up your life
And die,
For you were born a girl.

Play not ball, playful one,
And hurt your knee,
Fly not adventurous one,
And lose your home’s key,
You were born a girl.

Girl, it’s a blessing to be born thus,
To have the power to love and create,
To have the power to repair even in despair,
Those dirty lecherous eyes that devour you,
Powerful bullies who control you,
Righteous people who sermonise you,
Patronising figures who demean you,
Caring souls who break you,
Use you, and pity you.
You were born a girl.

So heal, do not kneel,
Feel, do not deal,
Lend, do not bend,
Only then
Will your agony end.