Ascent From Rock Bottom

I was like Jacques from As You Like It.

Blurred Silver Linings  in  Dark Clouds,

Alas!  No one understood me,

No one considered me their first priority.

Was I looking not seeing?

Was I hearing not listening?

Was I experiencing not feeling?

I was existing not living.

Did I not deserve happiness?

Did I deserve cruelty?

My pillow showered every night,

Constraints in the voice box

Tired of fake smiling,

Trying to like people I did not,

Trying to live up to others’ expectations

That was no longer me.

Being good is not a crime. 

Don’t follow the crowd.

Be  like the smooth tongue

Among the sharp teeth.

Stopped hearing the people,

Who didn’t deserve me,

Their opinion was no longer a yardstick.

Preventing me from being me.