Outside The Box Poem by Airda Jones

When you look, you see...

A student with her nose in a book
Who's A's consume her homework
A shy face who won't talk
And dresses like every other dork

That girl who cries from a C
And when she hurts herself
Someone who admires the party life
From the safe view of her shelf

A worker who pleases all
And smiles even to those mean few
Who will take anything from everyone
And won't break a single rule

A child who worries all the time
From letting people trample all over her
That is what you see
But are you really sure?

When I look in the mirror, I see...

A student who enjoys romance and
Isn't ashamed of her A in history
So I like to read more than talk
That just makes me more unique

I wear what's known as gaudy
Outrageous to your eyes
But that's my expression
Not my disguise

So I care about my grades
That's my future in my own hands
And I cry because someone punched me
But anyone who's determined understands

I take my determination seriously
To me, it's a rare gift
So when I cry, those tears
Aren't sad, they're pissed

And you don't see party dates
Consuming my calendars
Because I like colas at my house
Not drunks at the bars

My friends may be the drunks
But I like shooting it with my family
And when I distance myself from the world
It's only so I can scribe my poetry

And when I'm busy at work
I take pride in that
And when a customer gives me hell
I pray to God that they never come back

I have fun with my co-workers
Laughing at the fashions and horror stories
But come nine o'clock at night
I leave it all behind me

So I'm a people pleaser and
I'd rather see a smile than a tear
I don't want to let God down
So I help people to be rid of that fear

Maybe my mat's a little muddy
With a few footprints on it
Still I left some of myself on others
And I know that they will remember it

I am a goody-two shoes
Who won't break a single law
I may jaywalk or go three over the speed limit
I just value my freedom and life, that's all

I may not be heroic of any sort
Or be an idol to anyone out there
I may not be famous when I die
Some may not even care

I may not be what you want
I'm not that person you see me to be
But I do know what I am
I am this person, that simply.