I'm looking at you
You stare back with a calm expression
and searching eyes
Can you tell me who you are?
You are standing almost boldly,
Only
Your slouching shoulders
Tell the story of a tall kid
Trying to shrink into herself, and not stand out
Yes
Old habits die hard
Can you tell me who you are?
Are you a shy foreigner in first grade,
Scared to speak in a world unfamiliar
Can you tell me who you are?
Are you a silent fifth grader,
Shaking hands betraying your still face
As the girls saunter to you
Because you know how words hurt
maim your character,
Tear apart your esteem
Leaving you to gather the hurting pieces
In your arms and hold them quietly.
Only when you love those pieces
And love them hard
Will they bind together
and make you whole again
(But did you love them?
Or did you slap on a band aid
of false confidence
to hide the nasty wound
of insecurity?)
Fake it till you make it, right?
Did that make it right?
Are you alright?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who am I?
I don't know.
I say this out loud, I don't know
Something flashes in your eyes
and you say the same
I sigh and turn away