Tightrope Walker

Stand tall...
but not that tall; you'll leave him in the shade.
Stay strong...
but not so strong that you don’t seem afraid.

Taught to seek approval, but say sorry for succeeding.
Told to think of others first, and look pretty while I’m bleeding.

Be pure...
but not too pure, or you'll seem like a prude.
Look sexy...
but not that sexy; you don’t want to be lewd.

It’s a delicate tightrope walk that I’ve been taught to tread.
Pulled first one way then the other; am I leading, or am I led?