self-portrait as lowercase letters / SELF-PORTRAIT AS UPPERCASE LETTERS

self-portrait as lowercase letters

i am overlooked,

overshadowed,

as big bold lettering is always in the way of me

wanting to be seen but not wanting to be perceived since

i have things to say that aren’t as important

as you,

highlighted and italicized:

always soaking up the sun

as if nobody else wanted it

because you’re not thinking

as much as i

about how we are seen

perceived

and

noticed.

you would benefit from less centered text,

if you listened,

that is to say

i wish you were smaller

like me.

i’m sitting here

quiet and alone

because it should be obvious

that i am hurting

even though i pass by unseen

since i am unique

just like everyone else

as if to say

i meant to be lesser

but could not find the strength

CAPS LOCK ON:

SELF-PORTRAIT AS UPPERCASE LETTERS

I AM NO LONGER OVERLOOKED, OVERSHADOWED

THE BIG BOLD LETTERING I USED TO HIDE BEHIND IS ELSEWHERE ON THE PAGE

NOT IMPORTANT

NO LONGER WANTING

TO BE SEEN BUT NOT TO BE PERCEIVED

SINCE I HAVE THINGS TO SAY THAT ARE AS IMPORTANT AS YOU, IN THE

CENTER OF THE PAGE

ALWAYS FLAUNTING YOUR SERIFS FOR ATTNETION AS IF ONLY YOU WANTED IT

CRAVED IT

NEEDED IT.

YOU’RE NOT THINKING,

I HAVE NOTICED THIS,

SO I MAKE MYSELF SEEN

SO YOU CAN’T LOOK AWAY

IF YOU LOOKED INTO THE CROWDED LINES BEFORE, THE ABSENCE OF FUTHER PAGES IN MY BOOK, YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN ME BEFORE I SCREAMED BECAUSE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN OBVIOUS THAT I WAS HURTING,

EVEN THOUGH I PASSED BY

WITHOUT CRYING

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT, JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER LETTER,

I MEANT TO STAY SILENT

BUT COULD NOT FIND THE STRENGTH

CAPS LOCK off

full stop.