Look at Me
My hair is in knots when I wake up in the morning
My head isn’t always tilted to the right trying to find my light
My lips aren’t red until I decide to paint them with the blood of superficiality
My skin isn’t flawless because it houses battle scars from living under the scrutiny of the media
My cheeks are aren’t the desired tone of pink because they’re flushed with the need to breathe
There are bags under my eyes from staying awake at night and thinking about my future
Thinking about the endless responsibilities that fall upon my shoulders
Wondering whether I’ll have enough money to return to school next year
The beating heart inside my chest threating to stop every time I think of failure
The voices in my head telling me to work my way to the top
While the voices in the comment section tell me to post another selfie
I’ll brush my hair and wish my life untangled the same way
I’ll look for the right shade of lipstick to cover my naked lips
I’ll layer on the foundation to hide every dark spot and imperfection
I’ll try to draw the perfect wings on the corner of my eyes and pretend that’s my biggest problem
Society has a hodgepodge of necessities to look beautiful and I’m trying to keep count
Now I’m drowning in the impossible standards that come with perfection
But I’ll hide my desperation and frustrations behind a smile
Because no one wants to see the worn down, sleep deprived, complex, and real person that I am
I’ll hide behind the lights and cameras I promise to find the right filter
One that covers the nitty-gritty tones of reality
With the skewed perceptions of what makes a beautiful picture