Born That Way
Born That Way - meaning Summary
Sexualized Childhood and Survival
The poem portrays a girl whose childhood is shaped by sexual exploitation and the performance of attractiveness to survive. She learns to use smiles, gestures and small favors to gain material comfort while internalizing blame and bewilderment. Community whispers and judgment replace understanding, and she accepts her situation as innate. The repeated opening lines stress how deeply these behaviors are practiced and normalized in her life.
Read Complete AnalysesAs far as possible, she strove for them all. Arching her small frame and grunting prettily, her fingers counting the roses in the wallpaper. Childhood whoring fitted her for deceit. Daddy had been a fondler. Soft lipped mouthings, soft lapped rubbings. A smile for pretty shoes, a kiss could earn a dress. And a private telephone was worth the biggest old caress. The neighbors and family friends whispered she was seen walking up and down the streets when she was seventeen. No one asked her reasons. She couldn't even say. She just took for granted she was born that way. As far as possible, she strove for them all. Arching her small frame and grunting prettily, her fingers counting the roses in the wallpaper.
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