“Perfect isn’t real”

Daddy's lucky charm, the pink little sack was taken abroad.

Fairytale life, her parents gave her all.

Wouldn't stop talking, chased around the house.

Silly little child, didn't want playschool.

Was told she might soon have a new little sister.

Turns out, it was a brother.

Mother faces hair loss and thyroid.

Learns to face mom's temper and shield the baby.

Starts to feel self-conscious, "odd," they called her at school.

Finds solace in books, where the world was different.

Comes home to a weeping mother. Grandma's cancer took her.

Locked out for the first time. Punishment for a 90 percent.

Fears scrutiny and tries to please mother; cousin attempts suicide.

Realizes nothing will ever be enough; finds light in brother.

That she will always be odd and weird and incapable.

Parents fight. Dad drinks, mom threatens to leave, he cries.

Vents with words on paper. Gifted, she was called.

Dares to feel proud when she's awarded a full scholarship.

Almost looses her award, depression hits hard.

Home after a year, things are the same, but it'll do.