How do you get chosen
is it a process of faith
or elimination

how fast can I rip off my labels?
They feel like my scarlet letter
warding off what I want
because they think I'm not what I am.

because it's not easy
it's not easy to be told "not today"
it's not easy to be denied
it's not easy to turn away

and I've told myself that I am the lucky one
I'll be accepted one day
and someday
but days are numbered for a reason
and sometimes a name
is branded too deep
into the flesh
that no amount of friction can ever rub it off
and I
will never be accepted
and I
will be waiting in line
to be told
"not today"