What do they see when they see me?
They see
a tree standing strong and proud
against the wind.
They see a compass,
focused and pointing to the stars.

To them, I am a paper doll,
a two-dimensional likeness
of a girl who will go far.

They can’t see what I see.
I am just a girl,
scared and alone,
hiding behind a pen and paper,

evading the truth.
I am just a girl;
weary from holding on
to a dream that once was real.

I am just a girl,
paralyzed,
who would rather stay motionless
than face the unknown future.

I am a paper doll,
fragile
and floating on the wind.