I found inspiration for this poem watching people from the sidelines of the school hallway.

Do People Understand Me?

Do I need to be something else?

Or will people like the real me?

Probably not.

Everybody feels the need to act,

Outside of their comfort zones,

Projecting an ideal image people

Long for.

Everybody feels the need to fake.

Under influence, maybe.

Not my problem. I just wonder,

Do they truly feel good about themselves?

Everybody feels the need to lie.

Right?

Sure, to feel better, cooler. No problem. But

The lies need to be controlled.

Are you the real you?

Now – this very second?

Don't lie. Don't fake. Don't act.

Me is me.

Everybody knows.