Expectations

My momma told me to uncross my legs at the table

My daddy said don’t come home without A’s, now I’m unable

My brother says be a role model

My boyfriend asks, “Why can’t we fondle? You’re not enough.”

Don’t they know I feel that every day?

My best friend asked me to jeopardize my reputation

My boss was in a sour mood and fired me outta frustration

My dog tries to bite me

A representation of life all around me, oh I hate this

Here I hide under the covers wrapped in sleeplessness

Expectations, complications, screaming inside

Punished mistakes, try to fake a small smile

Seriously, this is too much for a child

Birds sing unpleasant songs whenever I’m out

God knows I’m terrified though I don’t know what they’re about

The lawn is a mat of spikes

I watch as other young tikes pass by skipping merrily

Why couldn’t that please be me?

A pile of papers stacks on my bed before I’m home

Everything I must complete in the given time absolutely alone

I undress in front of the mirror

The truth is so much clearer now that I can see the scars

I’m afraid to even use my heart

Expectations, complications, screaming inside

Punished mistakes, try to fake a small smile

Seriously, this is too much for a child

No time to breathe, but too much to think

What’s it like to giggle on the playground swing?

There’s someone in me who longs to be carefree

But all these expectations, complications, screaming inside

Punished mistakes, try to fake a small smile

Seriously, this is too much for a child

Too much for laughing at all