Being true to yourself: Charlie Leong (Third Prize

written by Charlie Leong, Year 11

You find yourself in the silent darkness, when your unfamiliar heart pounds, and your fear-ridden eyes stare into the shattered reflection in the mirror. ‘Be you’ they cheer, But they never mentioned that by doing this You will not be loved, Because you are not like them. So get into that mould, force on that stifling mask. Society now adores and accepts you. A blurry glare in the distance, A force that sucks you into the fog. What looked like an ocean, Only turned out to be a desert. Why aren’t you happy yet? Are you even you? Your smile is crooked. Maybe this isn’t the answer. There must be another way. Throw that insincere mask away, and free yourself of lies. Find the pure you and own it, For this doesn’t require anyone else’s permission. You must respect yourself first in order to respect others. Say goodbye to fake friends, as on the horizon, There are true companions who will love you for you. When winter passes, spring will always come.