My writing professor assigned these two pieces of writing, and we were instructed to write a comparison.

And as I began to study them a bit more, I realized how much it fit into my life.

Though I was never directly told how to be a woman, or what was expected of me as I grew older, I fit the damn stereotype. And, to be quite honest, it irritates the Hell out of me.

I am a housewife. I am an object.
I am a mother. I am a keeper.
I am a confidante.
I strive for perfection.
I am emotional.
I am protective.


Why do you not see?
I am much more than these pair of jeans and crappy jersey that I wear when I clean the house.
I am much more than these teeth and sparkling eyes.
I am much more than these breasts and the curve of my hips.
I am much, much more.

I am a woman.
I am a student.
I am intelligent.
I am beautiful.
I am strong.
I am powerful.

And I am no longer allowing myself to be so naive.

I am so mad at you right now. So, so mad at you. Do you not see what this is doing to me?
And where are you right now when I need you? Why aren't you here like you should be?
What happened to the man I fell in love with? The man that I made these plain walls into a home with? ...our home...
We filled this place with laughter and love.
We were the envy of everyone around us.
We glowed.

And now, we're drifting.
I'm drifting.

I could have had anyone, you know.
But I wanted you.
Why are you letting go so quickly?
Why are you watching me drown?

And in the midst of all that is wrong, despite all of the horrible things that happen between you and I on a daily basis, the words, the anger, the hypocrisy, the jealousy, the resentment....

I am still holding on.
Am I alone here?

We had our wedding date set.
I even picked out my dress.
And the location.
I wore the ring.
I smiled constantly.
I was so proud of us.
We were so beautiful.
Something out of a fairy tale.

And now? Nothing.
I sleep next to a shell of a man.
A coward.

You are so scared of me leaving?
Stop pushing me away.

You say that actions speak louder than words...
What are you trying to say to me?