Labeled By Society

Poem by Katlyn Orthman and Image by Martha Di Diovanni

See this heart encased by imperfect skin
It masks the beauty that is locked within 
Because society has no eyes to look inside
At the beauty that commercials hide

We see perfection as an image to high
That we fight to make ourselves try 
to be something that will never make sense 
In this sad world that encourages this

We hear names screamed out at us
to morph us into something, while society laughs at us 
It's telling us if we fit the role
then maybe you'll be considered full

They tell you to be yourself then list out what to change
And if your opinions are different you're suddenly strange
If you don't look or act or live a certain way 
Then you're automatically cast out and shamed

Hold your head up high and press on 
Because I won't be conformed to a society
That's hiding me
Because I'm not who they say I should be