Centrique 2012-2013

And happier (probably because they don’t have these darn voices in their head).

I’ve tried to detach myself from them Tried to stop some of them from crying Or laughing Or telling me another joke they want me to add on page 152 But I can’t.

When I do, it’s like I’ve peeled away a layer from myself And another layer unravels One that I’ve pushed away for so long That I wasn’t even aware I had It carried memories and thoughts that had sat in the back of my mind They were of me at age 12 The first time I ever grabbed that paper and pencil And told myself to write about a girl named Jamie Who had a crazy family Amazing friends And made mistakes Jamie was my escape from the bullies at school As she told me her story, Told me her sisters’ names Her favorite song, She showed me that I was capable of more than just getting good grades And being hated for them She made me feel like I was more than just the oldest child Who had to be perfect.

Then came Elle, Ella, Samantha, Audrey, Thea, Jade, Emily, Seraphina, Pamela, Paige, Penelope They told me who I was And what I could be They lived in the back of my mind Even while I was sleeping And woke me up when they found a new friend, Fell in love, Felt sadness, heartbreak, joy, and anger