About Me
Who is she?
Who is she?
She’s just a girl that hates being alone. And when alone in a hall, her guard is always up; eyes glaring, keeping people away. What they don’t know is that her eyes and ears are open, and she’s wondering, “Were they laughing at me?” “That girl looked at me funny… why? What’s wrong with me?” But when she sees a friend, her tense body loosens up, insecurities forgotten and left behind in a faraway place. A smile lights up her face and her steps quicken, eager to share stories and secrets with a buddy.
Who is she?
She’s a girl that hears the calling and whooping behind her, and acts indifferent. Yet her heart beats a little faster and her steps speed up to get away from the sickening men hitting on a 15 year old. And when she’s far away, she’s angry. Angry at herself for accepting the humiliation. Angry for all the young girls who were forced to grow up too early. Angry because she can’t even dress the way she wants without being objectified and afraid for herself. Angry at society for telling her, “just accept it. Boys will be boys.”
Who is she?
She’s a just girl that hides her tears and pain behind fake smiles and loud laughter. Jokes and humour hide the true extent of her feelings; no one knows how she cries in the bathroom at night. No one knows of how her silent sobs shudder through her body. No one knows that her puffy eyes in the morning are because of the endless tears that put her to sleep. No one sees the emptiness in her eyes. Because it’s easier to hide it. Because letting someone in is her biggest fear.
Who is she?
She’s just a girl that wants to live up to the expectations. The expectations of her family. The expectations of her friends. The expectations of society. Her own expectations and dreams are secondary to everyone’s else’s. Because what people think of her matters. She pretends it doesn’t, but deep down, she knows it does.
Who is she?
She’s just a girl.
This isn’t really how I would have written my About Me. I just really liked the concept of talking in a third person point of view and applying the whole thing to other girls who have possibly felt the same way at one point of another in their life. Also I’m not having problems in my life or anything, I just thought this poem shows who I am a little better than if I listed a whole bunch of facts about me.
October 9, 2020 at 4:46 am
Dear Gurman,
This piece was truly beautiful. I feel like I got a good understanding of the way you manage your pain and all the evil in this world. I believe your piece is something many people can relate to especially in the line “because letting someone in is her biggest fear.” It can be hard opening up to people even when you know it is what’s best for you. Letting someone in your head does seem scary but I think we can both agree that it helps us acquire a different perspective which can lead to a solution. You also touched on gender roles in society. Specifically, how women are objectified due to their attire as society claims that it can lead to unwanted problems. I think you are quite brave for speaking on this, I know I would not feel comfortable bringing this up but if not me then who right ? You inspired me to tackle other major issues in our world in my writing even if that means going out of my comfort zone. From what I have read, I feel like you connect to people very well and also the world around you. Overall, very insightful, I loved it.
In terms of improvement, I think you could talk more about who that girl is under all the insecurities and pain she faces. I want to know more about her sense of humour, her work ethic, her favourite things to do, her dreams and goals etc. Anything that holds the essence of her identity, not just her fears.
Sincerely,
Sadhiya
October 9, 2020 at 7:18 pm
Sadhiya,
Thank you for giving me feedback on how I could have made my post better. I didn’t actually realize that I could have added to the poem, in terms of making it more original to myself, but I’ll keep that in mind for next time or if I want to revise it.
And honestly, knowing that my writing somehow inspired you makes me really happy. Thank you again for the comment.
-Gurman
October 10, 2020 at 8:03 pm
Dear Gurman,
I think you’re about me was so beautifully written, the way you crafted each word. I loved the way you compared society’s norms to your life and in the general life of a normal girl. This line in your piece stood out to me, ” Angry because she can’t even dress the way she wants without being objectified and afraid for herself. Angry at society for telling her, just accept it. Boys will be boys.” To me, this line was the most powerful in your whole piece. You took the common issue in the world and related it to your life and how that has happened to you, and that it, not just an issue that comes up on headlines.
For improvement, I would recommend that you talk more about how this insecure girl who is always smiling has come so far in life and how she might be feeling now as her emotions lift and become how she is starting to become happy again. Other than that I think your piece is just beautifully written.
Sincerely,
Karishma
October 12, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Karishma,
Thank you for taking the time to read my About Me. I greatly appreciate your kind words regarding my first post. I will make sure to use your feedback to make my post better sometime in the future.
-Gurman