Why - Visitor's Poem

by Vanessa Teague
(Oklahoma, USA)

Why must I change,
Conform to an image you picked for me?
Why must I act,
Pretend to be the person you want me to be?

Why can’t I be unique,
Stand out in a crowd and not be afraid?
Why can’t I be real,
Instead of the person that you have made?

Why am I me,
If the real me is someone people reject?
Why am I flawed,
When everyone wants me to be perfect?

Why don’t people listen,
I have a lot of ideas still unheard?
Why don’t people see,
This monotonous life is not preferred?

Why must I hear,
Of everything I do wrong?
Why can’t I be praised,
For being so strong?

Why am I criticized,
For wanting something unique?
Why don’t people understand,
Some excitement is all I seek?