Niece

My niece Elainie wrote this poem and it won a prize:

MASK

She was just there.

Not knowing what was going on.

She walked into the room and everyone was smiling.

Or so it looked like it.

Everyone looked like they were having a good time.

The smiles, laughter, drinks.

But deep down inside, she knew everyone was sad.

They were sad because they were saying this isn't me.

This isn't who I wanted to be.

I wouldn't do this.

But yet they still do what they do.

Just ignoring that weird feeling, being someone they don't know or don't want to be.

But why?

What's the point?

It doesn't help you with choosing a good future, it helps you go down the wrong path.

Farther and farther from your goals, dreams, and destinies.

So why bother trying to be something you're not?

Just take off that mask and be who you are for whom you

are and don't care what anyone else says because in the end you win.

And they lose.