I Know.

 They say you should write the things you know

But the things I know,

Are things no one wants to hear about.

 

I know girls who can’t look in the mirror

Without finding something wrong

Because we aren’t supposed to love ourselves.

 

I know that confidence is a rare commodity,

In a world where we cut others down

To bolster ourselves up.

 

I know magazines that point out

Every single thing that is wrong

On the bodies of gorgeous women.

 

I know that this is where the hate comes from

This is where we learn that we. Aren’t. good enough.

Because if these women don’t measure up, then where the hell do I stand?

 

I know of girls who can’t take the pressure

To be thin. So they purge and starve

Away their sorrows.

 

I know girls who can’t stand the pain, who cant take the pressure.

So they try to slice themselves away

From this unforgiving world.

 

I know that feeling invisible is the hardest thing

When we are taught that it is the charismatic,

the talented, the beautiful, who get put on display.

 

I know that it is not just the media.

It’s our parents who want us to be what they couldn’t,

But still assume we are just like them.

 

I know that it is our classmates

The people we see every day

The ones we try to measure up to.

 

I know that it is not just on the outside.

It’s that little voice inside us, whispering

“You. Aren’t. Good enough.”

 

I know that I do it too,

That when I can’t take it

I throw the weight to someone else.

 

I don’t know why we do it,

And I don’t know where it comes from

And I don’t know how to stop it, but

 

I know that things aren’t going to change this way

We can’t stumble through life blindly

Only stopping to glance at our reflection in the fun house mirror.

 

I know that we. Have. To. Stop.

We can’t fight for peace,

When we don’t know what that feels like.

 

I know that we can’t empathize with other peoples,

We can’t send goodness to other nations, We can’t love our neighbor.

When we don’t love our self.

 

I know that it doesn’t have to be this way.

I don’t know how or when

But it CAN change. We can change. I can change.

 

I know that it isn’t going to take a revolution

It isn’t going to take some big-headed leader to get us there.

Because the leaders are the people right beside us.

 

I know that they don’t look like much

They’re just everyday people, our friends,

Our soon to be friends, the people that love us because of who we are.

 

I know that, no, I’ve felt that,

One person is all it takes. Just one.

One act of trust, one act of kindness. One act of love. And that’s why,

 

I know that it really can happen.

It really is out there.

It really can be done.

 

And, I have to believe that it will.

Reviews

[Linka and Lirrie]

I loved this and all of it is true, you spoke your mind and did it very well. I find your writing of this poem is very fluid so I give you a 100/100. Good job and keel writing.

[Too Me]

This piece flows with your words that speak so much truth. The whole piece is great, but the last three stanzas are my favorite! Great work *Lana* :-)