Some clothes
Feel like armor to me
A warm flannel
Or a baseball cap
Can be a shield
So when someone says
Hey! I love your hair
I say thanks
It's greasy
I haven't showered in a week
Hey!
I love your shirt
Thanks
I've been wearing it since the 5th grade
It's stretched out of shape
But I can't throw it away
Hey!
I love your skirt
Thanks
It's my favorite
But I don't wear it
Because I'm afraid of being noticed
Hey!
I love your shoes
Thanks
I know they're a little much
But I thought if I wore them
I might feel invincible
And sometimes it works
And sometimes
It doesn't
Sometimes
Clothes
Are just clothes
And an oversized sweatshirt
Is not a replacement
For loving yourself
My heels might make me tall
But they cannot put me on top
My sports bra can hold me tight
But it cannot make me strong
My sweater can keep me warm
But it can't keep me safe
My chucks can't make me 10 again
My chacos can't take me back to the beach
My boots won't put me on mountaintops
The best-fitting pair of jeans
Will never make me look like her
I want to be as bright
and unapologetic
As my orange rain-coat
But my clothes cannot
Set me free
And I can't do it myself.
I'll have to find freedom somewhere else.
