Inside Out Poem by Mary Champion

Sometimes I think about doing it -
that ‘let it all hang out' thing -
Stop acting.
Take off the mask -
let them see the real me.
Stop biting my tongue in the interest of diplomacy,
argue my points more vigorously.
I'm not really that easy going -
just know that the selfish despot stuff
is no way to win friends and influence people.
I got the message very young -
realised I wasn't what they'd call
a ‘sweet little girl.'
Got it figured early on
that you get more if they think you are ‘nice'.
So, I made myself ‘nice' on the outside.
But inside-
deep down in my embattled heart -
I am still the bitch I was born.