Boundaries

are a funny thing

you think you have them

you are deluded

but

better late than never

…

right?

boundaries are

acceptable

as long as you let

them push yours

to

extinction

boundaries are

encouraged

as long as it is

at their

bidding

boundaries are

dictated

don’t cross them, they said

growing up

not a line in the sand

but drilled into the wall

concrete

your head

they knew better

always

when you were a little older

or was it a lot older

but what about mine, you asked

the message

everywhere, from everyone

neon lights

was

when it comes to you

boundaries are

not boundaries

non boundaries

bond

bind

you

a young brown female

none of the right

adjectives

stereotypes

a typo

but

you are finally learning

it is okay to say ‘no’

not allude to it

simply ‘no’

‘no is an acceptable response’

said a wise teacher

you practised saying ‘no’ with her

choral responding, she said

‘no’ means ‘no’

‘no’ does not mean ‘yes’

neither ‘maybe’

NO

high heels

bullying

makeup

bacon

too much noise

covering your head

your body

rumours

cooked peanuts

lowering your eyes

being subservient

wasting your

energy

time

tying your hair

running

replying to every text

coffee

keeping quiet

so they feel better about

themselves

begging them to

do the right thing

stand up for you

themselves

birthday parties

listening to someone

complain at hours

at end

just stop

‘i told you so’

also

YES

belly laughs

deep conversations

chai

skipping

cuddles

writing

reading

a random text

a birthday wish

solitude

growth

biryani

licking your fingers

tickling

getting lost

in dreams

big and small

nightmares

being vulnerable

unwashed hair

showing up

for you

them

mint leaves

water

cycling on a stationary bike

meaningful life

boundaries are

boundaries

now they

exist for you

not defined by

the adjectives

that you were born with

but

by you

these are yours

to fight for

to hold your ground

to protect

bind

bond with