Imagine being afraid
Imagine being afraid every time you have to talk to people
Imagine being afraid every time you have to call someone
Imagine being afraid every time you have to answer the door
Imagine being afraid every time you have to meet new people
Imagine having to isolate yourself just to feel safe
Imagine getting sick of the thought of going to the cinema
Imagine the loneliness
Imagine getting afraid every time a stranger asks you about something
Imagine the urge to change
Imagine the fear
Imagine thinking about what others think of you
Imagine wanting to run
Imagine almost throwing up of the thought of a new school
I
When I was young,
I knew a girl.
She was so warm and bright,
so I asked her that question
that all children must answer.
'What do you want to be
when you grow up?'
Her eyes lit up with joy
and she jumped with excitement.
'A dancer!
No, an astronaut!
Wait, President!
A scientist!
I'll be famous
and in movies!
My name
will be everywhere!'
She listed so many more
until she finally just smiled
and looked at me with eyes filled
with child-like wonder.
'I could be anything I wanted.'
Years and years later,
I saw the same girl again
but her eyes no longer
lit up with wonder.
I asked her,
'What did you end up being?'
She