Who I Am

That’s me,
second from the right,
the one awkwardly scratching her chin,
the one spacing out so far
Major Tom couldn’t pull me back in.
I'm the one who’s not swinging,
or texting, or chatting.
But I’m with my friends, and they don’t care
if I’m shy and reserved,
or that I’m awkward in public.
They bring me with them,
just because they like to have me around.
They like my company.
I listen to their problems,
not because I'm too anxious to tell them mine,
but because I care.
But also because I’m too anxious that if I start,
I might never stop.
Same reason I choose not to swing.
So scared of how a tiny bit of relief will feel,
that I never want it to happen.
I’m like the Eeyore of the group.
I may not be the happiest person in the world,
but that doesn’t matter,
because my friends love me
for who I am
with social anxiety
and all of my quirks.
That’s just who I am.
 

lana.W

VT

YWP Alumni

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