You think that because I wear black shirts that I must be evil

Or maybe think isn’t the best word here

You know

You look at my zippered pants and wonder how many times I cut myself

Never?

What kind of lie is that?

A true one

One you might do well to believe

No, to you I am simply a monster

Some suicidal emo kid

Who gets a sick pleasure from murder and pain

You assume too much and say too little

Well we know what that does, don’t we

Leaves me alone

Ostracized

That weird scary kid

The one you should avoid at all cost

Thank you

I love that label

It makes me feel so worthless

Insignificant

Messed-up

Did it ever occur to you that I might like the color?

The theatre wears black

Then are all stage crews violent and suicidal maniacs?

Or is there some exception

And if so why can’t I take advantage of it

Do I have to be in a play?

Or sing in a band?

Or do something artistic?

Maybe I am artistic

Have you stopped to check?

Do you know I write poems or have you been to busy staring at my dress?

I do

You should read them sometimes

You might learn something

But then you’ve never stopped to ask

You just turn in fear from the jet-black hair

Did you dye that for a reason?

Yes

To make you angry

And it worked

Maybe that is why I dress this way

To piss you off

I certainly enjoy it

Right?

And those combat boots can’t be comfortable

Wait. Is that you reaction or mine?

Do they really scare you that bad?

It’s like we’re some cultish army obsessed with anarchy and chaos

Kind of ironic

But then who knows the battles I’m fighting and the drugs I’m taking

I’ve seen you eyes search my body for track marks

Surprising isn’t it

That I don’t need those things to make me happy

Maybe you should check your beloved football players

I wonder what they’re us under those white jerseys

Maybe not

You probably don’t care to know

Yet you keep trying to figure me out

Put me in a box that doesn’t exist

Abused?

Neglected?

Attacking out?

Smothered?

Plain out freak?

You can choose which label you prefer

After all my opinion doesn’t really matter, does it

Written for my cousin who is much to kind to stand up for himself