Imperfect - CAPITALISED WORDS NEED TO BE IN ITALICS NZ

• Gabriela Munoz, Grade 7
• Poetry
• 2021

Over time, I lost who I wished to be.
It felt as if I had to be PERFECT.
Lying is easy, everyone gullible to my disguise.
Nothing is ever MY choice.
Every word I say, every opinion I share, every facial expression,
they’re all planned perfectly, all planned in advance.
I didn’t think it could ever get this bad, denial, shame...IMPERFECTION.
I seem to stare at my reflection with fear.
Fear of disappointing, fear of the unknown, fear of being...IMPERFECT.
I am constantly being chased by this monster that claws my insides, a voice,
MY voice, saying,
‘You will NEVER be good enough. Not for yourself, not for anyone.’
I eventually flushed out the noise and realised that I have to accept who I am.
I am not defined by my weight, my skin, my mistakes.
I am whoever I need to be, and that’s more than enough.
I am me, and I am IMPERFECT.