I see a girl

Thin lips, smiling

Though her eyes are sinking

falling, lifeless

I can tell she goes to bed

far after the stars fall asleep

and lies there, frightened

scared of the voices in her head

telling her that she is worthless

useless

a waste of space

what is her purpose

if she can’t do anything right

can’t get good grades

can’t be the best

can’t look her baby sister in the eye

without being reminded of the times

when expectations were not existent

and tomorrow was worth looking forward to

 

I see a girl

fragile

ready to collapse

and I’m not sure

how much longer

she’ll last