We Came To Play

we came to play

no more hiding

in modesty

in comparison

in the cramped

shapes meant

to keep us

small and scared

but presumably safe

we came to play

no more competing

for meaning

bending and contorting

to earn our right

to be loved

performing and

pleasing to

gain your assigned

value

we came to play

no more dressing up

to prove our worth

or dressing down

to maintain it

the days of

speaking softly

over powder puffs

and pink lipstick

are over

we came to play

to howl

to strut our

imperfect stuff

we came to dance

the dance of

wild inclusion

inviting all the jagged

parts of ourself

onto soul’s dance floor

no longer tolerated

but celebrated

confetti, baby,

all the way

we came to play

to shake our hips

and shake

things up

loosening the dictates

of right and wrong

ugly and pretty

should and shouldn’t

til our toes

turn into butterflies

and our feet take wing to sky

we came to play

fierce hearts

feisty throats

full of freedom’s song

our love is a

caped crusader

chock full of

super power

girl gang power

blasting apart

the kryptonite of

perfection

shame and

criticism

from self

from other

we came to play

and we invite you, too,

tilt, twirl, and glide

whirl your colors

swirl your truth

the wide world is a

playground and your

heart is a swing set

let go of what

doesn’t lift you higher

let go

let go

let go

'cuz we came to play

******************

poem © Angi Sullins stories

artist unknown — in Colorado Springs.