Sorry if my words aren't pretty enough
for you to read,

but I'd like to be myself for once.

There was never any need
to please others,

for no matter how much
you seem to owe them,

in the end, your life
should belong to you.

There never was any reason
to judge or scorn,

for everyone is scarred
insecure and flawed,

the only perfections that exist
are the imperfect ones.

Time is caught up in moments,
the anxiety and restlessness
found in dancing shadows,

questioning and mindless tests
adolescents live by,

content and loving
mothers, fathers, lovers,

weary and patient,
time carriers.