Where novelties are few and far between
I exile myself
Say my good-byes to the sun
Stomach filled with butterflies
A spasm of panic
Met with intense familiarity

Always in the dark
I feel caged in
A topic of gossip
Unfulfilled expectations
Pushed to the brink
Always dancing on edge
A curiosity
An unaccepted outsider

Never in harmony
Yet a familiar melody
No reason to be self-conscious
I grow more confident
Let the chips fall where they may
I can do this

Difficult to read the faces
Trying to communicate something crucial
Maintaining what dignity I can
I start treading water
Instead of drowning in it
I can do this

A beautiful challenge
Catches and holds my attention
'You are worth it. Declare yourself! '
I am not ashamed
Appropriately enthusiastic
With all things considered
I can do this

Stung like and electric current
Coursing through my veins
Aglow with rash excitement
I hope
Euphoric at the thought
I finally belong
A tradition in the making
Comes home at last
I am doing this

Life works that way
Better than we imagine
Without the dark
We'd never see the stars

Now a greater challenge awaits
We must replace doubt
With blazing determination
For its only the beginning
Of accepting such novelties

Rebekah Parrish

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/novelties/