I used to walk without seeing where I was going
For fear that I would meet someone’s eye
And they wouldn’t like what they saw

                      I used to hesitate to open my mouth
                                  For fear that what I had to say
                       Might make people think less of me

I used to try to take up as little space as I could
To leave room for people more important than I

                               I used to pretend I was a ghost
I used to float through life only halfway present
                  Always observing, never participating

I used to

I’ve grown so tired of being apologetic for merely existing

                  I meet peoples’ eyes when I walk now
                       And if they don’t like what they see
                                                             ­     ***** them

I try harder to say what’s on my mind
And people who don’t appreciate it
Can deal with it

I take up as much space as I need to be comfortable
Because I realize now that my comfort is not a reason to feel guilty

I am starting to live life for the first time and it feels so hopeful
I can feel the ghost dwindle every day
Maybe, one day, I might be a whole person
                                                          ­       **Maybe