This poem was written by a girl I knew in high school, in the winter of 1993. I periodically come across the card with the original draft of the poem written in it and it never ceases to thrill me.

I look forward to the day when my daughter is old enough to appreciate it.

I am a girl

I don’t giggle, I laugh

I don’t glow or perspire, I sweat.

I am not going to make your tea when you order me to

or clean up your mess

I walk, unless I saunter, but I always step meaningfully

I drink my beer from a can

and when I smile at you, take me seriously

‘cause I only smile when I want to.