Sit still and be pretty

 “Sit still and be pretty”

are words no one will ever tell my daughter

she’s pretty when she’s running wild
when her dress is dirty
and her hair is a mess

she’s pretty climbing too high
jumping too hard
laughing too loud

she’s pretty when she’s muddy
when she’s fearless
when she’s completely, unapologetically herself

because i’m not raising her
to be quiet and small

i’m raising her
to take up space