We were talking
The other day
About women
And the roles they serve
In the military

We discussed the hardships
They will likely face
When they sign up
To serve this country

And the experiences
They will have
Simply because of
Their physiology

I managed to fit in
By acting like one of the guys
You said
Even though one of them had
Violated your privacy

I looked at you
As my heart swelled
In both pride
At what you had accomplished
And in regret
At what I could not

Why do we have to
Be one of the guys
I replied
Why can’t we just
Be ourselves