I woke up that morning knowing
it would be the last day I'd be
around people I didn't wholeheartedly trust
paraded around like my only worth lied in how I looked
engaging in meaningless small talk about nothing
told to silent my instincts and trust that everyone's intentions for me were good
wasting precious energy trying to fit in or be liked
kissing other people's asses
not leading by example
laughing at things that we all knew weren't funny
scrutinized and criticized when I was myself
shrinking myself to make others feel big
unsure for the sake of others
alone around many
an outsider on the inside
great for someone else
underestimated
misunderstood
misinterpreted
misdirected
mishandled
until I'm was just missed
and proud that I knew myself well enough to know that where I was was not for me.