Demure No More

a poem by Libby Sternberg

Let’s retire “demure,” shall we? And by “we” I mean all women who are:

…Fierce …Strong …Outspoken …Intelligent …Persistent …Confident

A man once compared me to another woman he called “demure.” Not in a good way.

She was demure. I was not.

To demure women everywhere, I say: You are free. Free to be:

…Fierce …Strong …Outspoken …Intelligent …Persistent … Confident

And much, much more. You don’t need to hang on to that man’s — any man’s — false compliment.

He’s not really calling you demure, my love. He’s calling you submissive.

Let’s retire “demure,” shall we?