the soft lisp in my speech
it bothered me
the not quite there
length of my hair
and the gap between my two front teeth

the fear that shook my bones at an adult's vicious tone
the tightness of the chest when I didn't fit among the rest
The smitten talk of boys to which I couldn't quite relate
Longing looks in the mirror in lost hopes of losing weight

Long hours spent at night writing fiction far away
The hooded eyes come morning when I wasn't quite awake
The look in classmates eyes when teachers pulled me aside
Questions of home and finding help and the reason I was so **** quiet

Not knowing just why
I kept hidden my poisoned life
It ripped me up inside

But given time
I have realised

All these little things
It is true -
They do bother me
They do, they do.

Yet without every piece
Every burning memory

No less than you are you
I simply would not be

Me