Immense pressure and high expectations 

from everyone around me and myself 

push me to be the best and the brightest,

but it's also a personal hell. 

Thoughts of others are always on my mind 

occasionally making me feel stressed,

yet they also provide motivation 

to stay on my toes and try my hardest.

Getting out of bed ensures I receive 

stamps of approval marked with a red pen, 

impressing myself and everyone else,

satisfying every need to fit in. 

Some people can be judgmental creatures,

but it only fuels my need to be great

in the eyes of the world's inhabitants,

pushing me to take control of my fate.