Poetry Inspired by

THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS

Property Terms

Knowing very well

the property terms of my heart,

you played with it, crushed it,

and expected me

to mend it overnight.

Not a Gay

Gay gay gay gay,

is what you want me to say?

Rainbow here, hold my hand.

Why the pressure, pushing me away

Maybe if I try hard enough,

maybe if I look away,

I can pretend to be ok

being who I am,

Not today, not tomorrow,

I need time.

Will you stay?

Will you wait?

I cannot promise,

but maybe some day,

while under me, inside of me,

I will say I’m gay.

The Sex Lives of College Girls. Created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, Kaling International, Inc., 2021-2022.

This show follows four 18-year-old freshman roommates at the imaginary university “Essex College” in Vermont. They face many problems as they get used to their first college experience; however, I focused my analysis on Leighton’s battle with accepting herself as a lesbian. The following poems were inspired by Leighton’s battle with herself versus society, as well as her relationship with several love interests. Gaslighting was examined through these dynamics.