Expected

There was a time when I used to smile. 

There was a time when I wasn’t like this. 

But they’ve all changed me into something else

“You need to be prettier” so I cover it up with makeup 

“You wear too much makeup” so I don’t wear any

“You’re such a failure” I hear this everyday 

Their expectations were pressed upon me

Their standards, toxic standards were normal 

What they said was true, to everyone else 

But if I was myself, I was wrong 

I can’t love myself, it’s pride 

They puppeteer my life

They control it 

They change it, only to make me feel worse 

I’ve been hanging by a string for too long 

Soon, the string is going to snap

There was a time when I was alive. 

A time where I was growing well

A time I had confidence 

A time when people believed in me 

I work too much it makes me ill 

I’m too busy for anything now

And I can’t miss anything because then I’ll fail

If I fail, it’s over 

They changed me.

Who are they?

Our society.