Within

Ringlets of honey brown

spring from above that olive face.

Those green eyes shine with life

as that smile begins to curl,

unleashing laughter.

Within that face is a girl.

A girl whose heart is as sweet

as the color of her hair.

As she laughs,

she peers into the mirror.

She quickly quiets down;

She is silent,

again.

Within that laugh is a girl.

A girl wanting to be accepted,

to be part of something.

Pressure.

Pressure to succeed.

Pressure to be perfect.

Those green eyes shift

from friends’ perfect grades

to their low B’s.

Within those eyes is a girl.

A girl who longs to be important,

to be someone.