She…

She loved when people liked her, yet hated the spotlight

But she made it through day by day.

Some days were harder than others

And life often seemed to be a never-ending rainstorm.

Many nights ended in tears, days beginning with puffy eyes and red cheeks.

She began to feel like this was the norm.

She became comfortable within her shell,

Didn’t let people in, afraid they would go,

Anxiety became her best friend

And it soon began to show.

But one day an opportunity arose,

She took it, figuring she had nothing to lose,

And just like that, life was changing again,

But this time she got to choose.

Tear-stained pillows became a rarity,

She found love in friends and family,

Found passion, found purpose,

She was beginning to regain her sanity.

She looked at the bigger picture,

Started passing over her imperfections,

No, she wasn’t perfect,

But she had dedication.

So, she may never have been the most popular or the most wealthy,

But she cared for other people,

And wanted them to live healthily.

She didn’t see people on TV or in the magazines like herself,

They always had something she did not.

Society told her to go far, but not too far

Because after all, the biggest dreams are the ones never reached and seldom sought.

She had big plans

And even bigger ambitions,

But what was the point?

You need to look the part to be the part, and if you’re too this, or too that, society puts up the restrictions.

She didn’t know it yet,

But someday, she would make a difference,

Maybe she wouldn’t cure cancer or go to Mars,

But maybe she would change the way the world saw a girl, not fragile, not less than,

But humans of great significance.

 

Thoughtcrime by Olivia Malick, ISSUE contributor