They teased me for being “pretty”.
Too “prissy”, too “girly”
They teased me for being cheerful.
For having a high-pitched voice,
That only heightened with emotion.
They judged me for being fit.
For eating clean.
Prioritizing my figure and fitness.
Subconsciously,
I went from eating too much,
To sometimes not eating enough.
I was scrutinized
For being slim yet toned.
For having beautifully bold eyebrows.
For being advancingly intelligent.
And shamed for being “too mature”.
No examples set though.
No role models to follow,
But the criticism was always there.
I was ostracized by family and peers.
And oftentimes labeled as bourgeois.
Because I wanted more
And aimed higher.
Ignorantly,
I was socially punished
Simply just for that.
I was unexplainably disliked
For my ingrained self-confidence.
I was made a disdained competitor
Rather than a loving ally.
And quite frankly,
I could never truly understand why.
And then one day I realized,
There’s not much to understand.
Because the fact of the matter reveals,
That it’s me who has the upper hand.
And now I lean in
To all that’s made me who I am.
I’m pretty and prissy.
Polished and poised,
and prosperous too.
But enough about me
It’s now time we turn the mirror
To all of you.
Reflectively yours,
Analise
If my words have lingered with you, or you feel compelled to leave a note—or a rose of appreciation—you may reach me here.
Thank you for reading, and for crossing into The Diary of Analise Devereaux.
Romance & Reality 
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