I can see you staring with horror
Trailing your eyes up and down in disgust
Over my apathetic outfit
Glaring at my old, worn-out sweatpants
Squinting at my loose hoodie
Your eyes land on my face, and you gasp
Looking at the blue crescents under my eyes
My blemishes and imperfections
That I chose not to cover with layers of makeup
My hair, thrown into a lazy ponytail
That makes you scream internally
Finally, you pull your eyes away
But I have seen it all
And I can hear all the vicious thoughts
Swirling like poison inside your head
I smile to myself and close my eyes
Feeling myself, alive and beautiful
Comfortable inside my skin
Remembering the memories
Of trying to be perfect
Of spending hours perfecting my face
Staring blankly at my wardrobe
Remembering my years as a Barbie doll
Feeling plastic and wrong
I am happy now my mind says
And gently lose myself
In the tendrils of freedom appearing around me
Once I allowed myself to let go