“Dear Imposter”

By Luisa Mays

I blame you
For the dreams that always slept
And for the story never told.
I blame you. 

For the lesson never learned,
And the space never filled
You
I blame.

For the busted something that I never fixed.
The memories I never switched.
The cobwebs I never cleaned 
And the hours of sleep I missed.

I blame you
For the plans that were canceled,
The papers that were ripped,
And the A’s I thought
I didn’t earn.

Blame
For the mascara 
Smeared on the bottom of my eye.
The mask of foundation that
I apply to my face every morning. 
The reflection I see in the mirror
I shame.

You,
The one who told me to check all of the boxes,
Reach my goals and drown. 

You knew I couldn't be perfect,
So you told me I was fake. 
You thought I didn't make it,
So you made me hate myself. 
Now we're in a loop,
And we're too afraid to ask for help. 

Luisa Mays has been using writing as a creative and academic outlet for several years now. She writes poetry and short stories that reflect mental health struggles, reminding people that they are not alone and encouraging them to find meaning and hope in life’s storms. When Luisa is not writing or reading, she can be found going on walks and taking photographs of sunsets and sunrises.