grey t-shirt with kids

who was i before you?

the loud girl at parties

trying to make a scene – get a laugh.

so uncomfortable in my own skin

i’d drink to blackout so i could disappear

into the night.

fade away.

feel better.

only to wake with nagging regret

always reminding me of the shame

i’d learned to accept as my identity.

always lurking near – never healed.

clouds of shame drifting,

blocking my view.

before you.