I hate the clothes I wear
but they are everywhere
for they are the layers that cling.

I wear them
over my legs
my arms
and around my torso
but never have I fancied them one bit.
I try to take them off
when it gets too warm
but somehow
I never can-
for around  me
zipped, buttoned
and tied up tight
are the layers that cling.

They tell me my clothes
are ugly.
I couldn’t agree more.
They fit in all the wrong places
and no pair of jeans
sweater or scarf
can be tugged on
to cover these layers that cling.

I wish I could take scissors
and simply snip the cloth
away.
But tightly they cling
to make sure
I don’t get away.
I want to tell the world
I do not like these clothes
but they wouldn’t believe me
for what they see
goes above my voice.

My friends look at me differently
because of these clothes I wear
I try to show them me
whom I wish is fun
lively, and free.
How, though,
can they believe me
when those layers that cling
hide me?

I wear throughout the day
these terrible layers I cannot shed-
except for one time of the day
when I can shrug these layers
above my head
and down my legs.
I turn on the water
until it is warm and just right
and grab the bottle of shampoo.
I place them in the shower,
but don’t climb in
for I need just
one moment.

In the mirror
is me
with all my layers folded
on the counter-
yet over my legs
my arms
and around my torso
are still
these layers that cling.