I wear gold
but it doesn’t lift me.
It glows,
but not for me.
I’m tired
of having to sparkle,
of the daily dance
for attention,
of comparing my life
to lives that are only illusion.
I see them –
the influencers,
goddesses in golden light,
light, smiling, perfect.
And me?
I hang.
The balloon clings to my back
like an obligation.
My skin is bare,
but my profile is filtered.
We all play the game,
posting beauty,
polishing pain.
But no one flies –
we just hang differently.
I don’t want to shine anymore.
I want to breathe.
I want to be allowed to fall
without losing.
I want to be real
not just reflection.
