At four years old

I skimmed my knee

Crying on the pavement, sobbing, screaming

Bloody band-aid, red checks,

Waiting for someone to rescue me

 

At eight years old

I failed my first test

Spelling and math,

I waited for my brain to rescue me

 

Twelve years old,

I looked at me

I hated what I saw,

My stomach, my thighs,

Too big, too wide,

No one could rescue me

 

Fourteen years old

They bullied me

I was alone

A friendless freak

Expectations, pressure

Crooked teeth

Who would rescue me?

 

At sixteen years old,

I moved to a new school

New friends, new teachers

New opportunities

People who Cared

I wasn’t anxious to try new things

They had rescued me

 

Now I’m eighteen years old

Unafraid to be myself

Confident, Courageous

Creating my own art

My head held high, I watch them stare

 

I had rescued me