My goal with this poem was to shed light on basically everyone out there who's hurting or in a rough place. There's a lot of poverty and brokenness and depression and things out there and every single day we see it and there's so much we can do about it. Not necessarily in the huge ways we see on TV or hear about around school, but a smile goes a long way. Someone who's hungry and shunned would appreciate any kind gesture; food, a conversation, anything at all. The tiniest things we do can save a life. Remember that for me.

Social Anxiety is a big part of being paranoid. Sometimes, what you think people are thinking is completely off base, but other times, you honestly know that they think strange things about you. When you're nervous about people's opinions, talking to people, or even just wonder if they want you around, you tend to step back and be an observer instead. When all you do is observe, people take things they glean about you at a glance and come up with their own conclusions. You're a mystery. This is how it is for me. I'm straight, but I don't talk about guys, so a lot of people think I'm gay - just for an example. If someone were to talk to me and try to break my barriers down, they would learn a lot. But they don't. Because I'm shy. I hope this poem gives some insight into what it's like to be on the outside.