I am a human being;

I am loud and happy

but, inside I’m sad and lonely.

I act like nothing bothers me

but, I’m hurting inside.

I am judged by the color of my skin,

the looks of my hair,

the way that I dress,

the size of my body.

I AM A HUMAN BEING!

I wear this cloak just to hide the real me,

to protect me from facing this judgmental world.

I wear this curtain for protection.

                Pay no attention to the woman behind this curtain,

because, I am just a cocoon waiting to turn into a butterfly.