I am Hidden

I am hopeful, but I am hidden.
I wonder if things will ever be the same again
I hear the whispers of the people around me.
I see the way people stare when they think I'm not looking.
I want to find my purpose in this world.
I am hopeful, but I am hidden.

I pretend not to hear what people say about me
I feel that if I close my eyes tight enough, everything will go away.
I touch my hair, pretending that no one can see me
I worry that someday I'll be in too much pain to breathe.
I cry at night, when nobody is around to listen.
I am hopeful, but I am hidden.

I understand what goes on around me, I just ignore it.
I say I've got it covered, but I really have no idea.
I dream that it will be better in the morning
I try to pretend it doesn't bother me, but it always will.
I hope that nobody will ever find out how I really feel
I am hopeful, but I am hidden.

Cara L. 2007, age 15