Words that don’t d e f i n e me
by: Ashlyn Nicole
In a state of utter confusion
as I navigate
a world that lacks color
a world that needs correction
my world needs correction
and yet all I can focus on is the
c h a o s
it’s the only thing that’s still
my hair stands on end,
my words tend to scramble
My brain untangles and
a n x i e t y
is the offender
only I can fight the demons
that chase me
that make it their mission to discard of me
that ultimately defeat me
apparently only I can see how
l o n e l y
I am
after all this time I’ve
wasted trying to hold onto
things that tethered me here
things that should’ve made my date
you would think that by now
someone would’ve noticed my
s t r u g g l e
I’ve had trouble this whole time
trying to find myself
they look back and tell me I’m strong
right after they whispered about my cowardice
they seem to notice me
beyond my mask
beyond outward appearance
they call me brave for
p e r s e r v e r i n g
I call them brave for lying