Written Sunday, November 5, 2006

“The Quiet Girl”

I am the quiet girl

full of awkwardness unimaginable

I am the quiet girl

with my tangled black hair

constantly pushed back over my ear

I am the quiet girl

shyly looking down and away,

avoiding glances

I am the quiet girl

my hands are clumsy and child-like

a pen falls out of my palm in nervousness

I am the quiet girl

spiraling down in a screaming red swirl

into a world no one sees

I am the quiet girl

fidgeting in my seat

I make invisible circles on paper

with my fingers,

thinking of a place other than the classrooms

I am the quiet girl

a frown falls upon my face

over a comment

embarrassment is my trademark emotion

I am the quiet girl

shuffling through the hall

and hurrying into a bathroom stall

only to lock myself in,

refusing to go back out

I am the quiet girl

I can cry and sob

I can laugh and smile

I can yell and be mad

I am the quiet girl

sitting throughout the day

in my imperfect imperfections

casting me out

holding me down

and bringing me up

I am the quiet girl

friendless over many strangers

and acquaintances

I am the quiet girl

I like to observe people

I remember their names

I memorize their faces and voices

but they don’t know

never will they know of someone knowing their existence

and themselves not being aware

I am the quiet girl

My legs are not slim

Short and a little stocky

maybe fat

in my point of view

I am the quiet girl

confrontations make me afraid

I will run away

I am the quiet girl

wondering if there will ever be a day

when I can stop being the quiet girl