More Angry or Disappointed

By Maya Avelino

I have never felt very beautiful

But that’s what my mother tells me so I choose to believe her.

And I believe her because of the way you all treat me

As glass to be smudged.

As an accessory to be worn

Telling me you find me exotic makes my skin feel tight

Because you’re not seeing me.

You’re seeing the possibility of what you can do to me.

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Maya Avelino (she/her) is a poet, writer and first-year student at Brown University. She can be contacted at avelinomayad@gmail.com