The Colorful Black & White

By: Michaela Frank

I want the world to see me through the original filter

The filter that shows me for who I really am

Not for something I pretend to be

We use filters to hide who we really are

Because we’re afraid of what people would really think of us

Because the main goal is to catch someone’s eye

So they can double tap

Instead of scrolling

My filter is as black and grey as the rainy days in October

With an expression to match the cold days in December

Before this filter was chosen I was as bright as the sun

A beautiful rose, bright and colorful

Still covered with thorns to protect itself

But that rose got snatched out of the ground

Slammed on a table

Getting its only protection ripped from its’ stem

I’ve been forever changed

My heart shattered like glass

The stench of betrayal grasped the air like smoke from a fire

And I cover my pain with something better known as a smile

It’s all just a façade

It’s what I want you to believe

You will never see the original picture

Until I am truly happy

And even then that’ll still be a filter