So this is why they say that
innocence is sunshine without shadows
and you may be better off keeping it that way
we had a school lesson on beauty, of all subjects
and knowledge has come with an electric shock for innocence
---
I have a best friend
And she is beautiful
In the kind of way that boys fall over themselves for
When I'm with her, I'm a special kind of invisible
We can shiver the same way
And, in an instant, she will have arms slithering to wrap around her
Protect her and keep her warm

But this is not an ode to jealousy
I made my peace a long time ago with being seen always
as more cute than pretty

This is an apology
That I've never before really understood
How dark the shadow is cast around you
All for being beautiful

All for being you