I walk into the room,
feel the impending doom.

take a deep breath, swallow the fear,
and make myself appear full of cheer.

'don't let anyone notice me'
becomes a constant inner plea.

but when no one does anything,
I realize that I was lying.

I feel so much frustration
because I also need validation.

What makes a person
Valid for care
What makes their value grow
Love, goodies or solid gold?

What makes a person
Valid for rest
Never having to tip their toes
To be careful and wary of tests

What makes a person
Valid for respect
When people will stop questioning their abilities  
And for salutes to greet their days

What makes a person
Valid for a smile
A genuine brightness that meets theirs, unconditionally
One that settles them, no matter how horrible a day gets

What makes a person
Valid for mercy
To be immune to every fall in life
And learn to know
That they deserve way more than these daily tortures and fights