On the Outside/ Looking in

On the Outside (Looking In)

just about everywhere I go
I feel like an outsider
like I don’t really belong
I pour my heart and soul
into places, organizations,
groups of people
I respect and love
so much that it literally
hurts
but still I always feel
like I’m on the outside
looking in
a part, but apart
you see often I feel so worthless
so repulsive and wrong
that I hide and don’t open up
been told for so long
that my place was below
oh so low
I shackled myself to the ground
feeling like that’s where I’m supposed to be
I feel as if I am only tolerated
never wanted
and because of it
I remain separated,
on the edge,
overlooked
hoping I’m not completely pushed away
oh if I could only show
the vibrant being
beneath the dull shell
if only I could share
the warmth and wit
the intelligence and strength
that I contain
if only I could step into the inner circle
and be the real me
but I’ve lost the key
and because of it
will remain shackled
on the outside
looking in