I never thought I’d be the one to buy into the hype of the glow up.

And no, I’m not talking about the toxic diet culture we all pretend is normal.

I mean the uplifting kind.

Apparently water is good for you.

I know,

I was suprised too.

And apparently,

My mental health matters?

That’s not what the school system taught me.

But it’s summer,

I’m free.

For now at least.

Every summer I try to come back as unrecognizable,

But it’s the opposite,

I come in just as me,

And leave a lesser version.

It’s not the math,

Though I do deteste it,

It’s the people.

But nobody knows,

Not the principal,

Not my friends,

Not my parents.

Nobody notices until im a shell of myself.

The only thing keeping me alive is those summers,

Where I reconnect,

Now I know what bliss feels like,

It’s wired headphones

With a podcast playing into my ears,

Sun rays shining,

The first blooms finally vibrant,

As I finally take a breath,

Murmuring,

“I’m free.”