Oh, To Be Pretty…

Oh To Be Pretty - Evie Groves

To be pretty

is to be known.

But how can one be pretty

if one needs that loan—

a confidence they cannot atone

For Merlin's sake, she’s perfect.

Why does the girl hide in that dome?

Oh right— those insecurities,

Making her feel so, so alone.

To be pretty

is to be known.

Then why can’t they know

the girl I never show? 

The one who wasn’t afraid to roam,

the girl who wants just one thing alone

to love herself like the others made known.

But then I remember

the defense mechanism I grew:

to put myself down

before the others do—

a habit I’ve seen in others too.

“Hey! Cute outfit,”
they quote.

So why can’t my brain
have the same tone?

“Not really…”
I groan,

as if the prettiest girl in the world

didn’t just compliment the style I’ve grown.

to be pretty, 

is to be known. 

But sometimes being known, 

Hurts more than feeling alone.