Author's Note: The title of this poem is a reference to Jerry Spinelli's fantastic novel Stargirl. Sometimes I think I'm kind of like her, because we're both caring and generous and give to our friends and classmates; but I'm different from her because I'm more shy and self-conscious than her.

"The Shy Stargirl"

I am the girl

who always carries a book around

so if she can't find any friends to sit with

she can be content by herself.

-.-.-

I am the girl

who laughs at everything,

because she loves to laugh,

especially with friends.

-.-.-

I am the girl

who will stand with a group of people she knows,

so she appears to be part of the group,

but stands slightly off to the side,

wondering if they will notice or include her.

-.-.-

I am the girl

who hands out valentines and Christmas cards

and brings desserts to share at lunch,

to show her friends

how much she appreciates

being able to call them friends.

-.-.-

I am the girl

who writes to Jesus in her journal

because He knows her better than anyone else.

-.-.-

I am the girl

who takes pictures of people at every party and event

to prove that she was there too

and to capture the happiness of that night.

-.-.-

I am the girl

who pauses in her work

and stares off into space.

Nobody knows what is going on inside her head.

That's why she writes so much:

to let people know who she is.