The promise of princess fantasy
Of a man to take care of me
I romanticized my gender role
My young mind rejected the dour
What my elder women said
A prediction I would regret
A promise that girlishness is fleeting
I don't choose to resent my youth
As I lapped up the male gaze
As I took care of my man
As I believed in forever
No, I wont condemn my child self
For falling prey to tainted fruit
It's men that saw an expiration date
That thought me better compliant
I prefer to be angry at them
Resentful at their dismissal
As I aged out of male desire
Age gave me the person I want to be.