It's who I am

by

Shannon Blackburn

Energetic, amusing,
Spoiled, sports loving,
Overachiever, outgoing,
It’s who I am,
Most of the times.
People perceive me as just a jock,
Just an A+ student,
Just an angel,
Just a girl,
And it’s who I am,
Most of the time,
But to me I embody all these qualities,
Still a tomboy,
Still friendly,
Still an athlete,
Still well-off,
And so much more.
There is another side,
Shielded from most people,
A side that needs to feel solitude,
To be able to rant and rave,
Free to kick and break things,
Delinquent and irresponsible.
But no one understands,
Being perceived as always happy,
Always running and swimming,
Always listening and being there for friends,
Always laughing and ready with a smile,
It’s hard.
To live up to expectations,
Which sometimes I know I can’t meet,
And it’s hard,
To be misjudged,
For being someone I’m not.
People who label me,
And don’t accept me for who I am,
Are an annoyance,
But not true friends.
Their viewpoints do little to influence my life,
Because I have confidence in myself.
My family and true companions,
Are my motivation to succeed.
I stretch myself,
To be all the things,
And those who love me,
The worst part,
Is the disappoint within,
When I fall short of my goals,
But I do know myself,
And I know I can overcome anything,
It’s who I am.