Have you ever been invited to a family pool party?

Where you grill outside, listen

to the music you were raised on,

and see your blood course through

everyone who’s present’s veins?

Have you ever swam in your t-shirt at said-event because you know out of everyone you’ve encountered these were the people who would be the most critical of your body?

Like an extra layer of clothing

and a farmers tan was the way to send

your ego soaring?

Have you ever purposely lied about wearing sunscreen cause you knew the burn from the sun would be less excruciating than hearing about how “pasty pale” you were born?

Like a firey red glow gave you more

pride than letting freckles spew out

over your body?

Have you ever lied about what your plan for life entailed?

Like saying you would voluntarily

go into debt to be inherently miserable

if it meant a college degree was involved?

After all, the more money you spend

means the more money you’ll make,

right?

Have you ever felt that lying face down

in one of the busiest streets in town was better than watching the person

you sold your heart to walk away

from the only thing that made you

believe there couldnt possibly be

a cruel thing

in this world?