The words on the wall seem mocking,
laughing at my broken state.
Narrow eyes judge before
I can even pretend to be
something I am not.
But your star keeps shining.

When all I want to do
is collapse in terror in my little corner,
the fake smirks encouraging,
and I know I am –
truly alone.
But your star keeps shining.

And under the shade
of a large, green tree (I
didn’t know they had those kinds here)
and in the narrow hallways
I see glimpses of your face.
Your star is shining –

but I’ve lost my glow.