I Am

I’m brave on the outside,
Frightened inside,
Haunted by stubborn self-hatred
And pride.

Fiercely convinced
I am loved, people care;
Fiercely afraid,
That they’ll leave, unaware.

Sometimes I’m fine,
With this lifetime of mine.
Sometimes I’m longing
For my finish line.

I’m strong, independent,
Baffled and weak.
Firm, but I’ll crumble
At any critique.

“Do what you want,
It won’t affect me!”
Lies.

But that’s not
Who I want you to see.