There are all these rules

  All these things I’m supposed to do

  I’m supposed to be a perfect student

  I’m supposed to be a perfect caretaker

  And a perfect child

  And a perfect adult

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  I’m not supposed to lay in bed hiding from the world

  I’m not supposed to prefer the aged pages of a book to the company of people

  I’m not supposed to be in love with a man twice my age

  I’m not supposed to be able to find comfort in his touch

  Understanding in his eyes

  I’m not supposed to do the things that make me happy

  I’m only supposed to do what makes others happy

  And that’s supposed to make me happy

  And if it doesn't? Well.

  Then something must be wrong with me