Only Then I Could Be Me

I hid behind the simper and titter

that didn't belong to me

I impersonated many characters

forgot my vocal timbre

Each cloak more constricting

until I couldn't breathe

I wore them -

so everyone else felt at ease

The variant of me that didn't weep too much

didn't bawl too loud

didn't ask for explanations

I got good at posing

no one saw the cost

When it all crumbled

When I finally stood alone

Nothing left behind me

Only then -

Could I be **** ME!!!!