Costumes

This poem reflects the feelings of a young person talking to an older person.

Costumes

Do you see me?

Do you hear me?

I stand before you, pleading silently,

“See me!”

“Hear me!”

Look beyond the many costumes I try on,

including but not limited to:

piercings, inks, purple hair, cropped hair, or no hair at all,

for they are not me...

rather only the armour I wrap myself in...

...as I face the world, trying to find the best way to live in it,

...as I face you, turning this way and that in front of you,

trying desperately to see only my reflection in your eyes,

and not your judgment.

At rare moments your curiosity may cause you to hesitate...

wondering...thoughtful.

More often, your careless glance leaves me no time to yell, “Wait! Don't be fooled!

This is only a disguise I wear...”

and before I can shed it, you turn,

you walk away...

never getting to see the real me,

hiding deep inside.