I didn't lose myself in the second grade,
when I fell and scraped both my knees on the sidewalk.
I didn't lose myself when my parents forced me
to wear a pink dress on my birthday.
I didn't even lose myself when
my mother decided I wasn't good enough for her,
or when my friends had decided that I wasn't
as cool as they once thought I was.
I didn't forget who I was when I
hid behind makeup and cut all my hair,
or when my classmates all told me
I was ugly and weird.
I didn't pretend I was someone else
when I knew I didn't fit in.
I wouldn't dare to change myself when
people decided they wouldn't be my friend.
I didn't lose myself when
I found out things are harder than I thought,
and I'm not as good as they said I was.
I didn't lose myself
until I lost you.