Can I be me?
She said one night
Sitting alone
Under the stars
Free to be me
Is it possible?
In a world so constrictive
Can I be?

Can I be tan?
He said
In front
Of the mirror
Surrounded by
White teammates
Is that okay?
Can I be?

Can I be gay?
He said
To his father
Arms folded
In the living room chair
Do you hate me?
He wondered
Can I be?

Can I be Muslim?
She said
On the first day
Of a new school
In a crowd of frowns
And dangling crosses
Staring at the scarf
Can I be?

Can I be smart?
She said
Seated at the back
Of the room
Trying to impress
The boys
What would they think?
Can I be?

Can I be small?
He said
Through heavy breaths
And sweat
In the weight room
Surrounded by
Muscular expectation
Can I be?

Can I be curvy?
She said
In the kitchen
Surrounded by food
She would not eat
For the fear
Of being fat
Can I be?

Can I be average?
He said
Looking at the paper
Grades listed
In menacing rows
What would
His parents say?
Can I be?

Can I be transgender?
He said
Tightening his binder
So no one would see
Hating the body
He wasn't
Supposed to have
Can I be?

Can I be loved?
She said
Putting on bracelets
To hide the scars
Of pain
Of battles fought
Would they judge her?
Can I be?

Can I be me?
He said
Waking up
Making his way
To the bus
To face the day
Can I be free?
Can I be?