“Young lady, you should smile more”
I was told at 15 by my high school principal
Because the face I wore was not happy
According to him, my default setting should have been smiling
Or I’m hostile
Unapproachable
A bitch
.
Bitch (derogatory): a pejorative slang word for a woman
It means someone who is belligerent, unreasonable, malicious, controlling, aggressive, or dominant
That’s what Wikipedia calls the face I wear when I am on my way to class
The face of a resting bitch
.
Because when I’m not actively smiling or happy, or full of life
I’m rude and aggressive
When I am emotionally neutral
As I am 99% of the time
I’m a bitch
.
I’m capable of emotion, contrary to popular belief
I just don’t show it all the time
The wave of dispassion that follows after an animated conversation
Isn’t me filled with disgust or annoyance
It’s my face is returning to its original, neutral position
I am at rest
Not a bitch