There was a girl in love with the wide world,
with nothing in her way, her wings unfurled
Before she could fly, whispers of some lie
From society could not be denied
Growing up, she became stressed and depressed
even technologically obsessed
Although there was really nothing to fear
The cries of her loved ones, she could not hear
What’s up with this messed up society?
Perfection just creates anxiety
A relief in pain, turns into self-harm
Marks of insecurity on their arms
Suicidal teens who take their last breaths
They make up the third leading cause of death
Depression and anxiety are linked
How can we make these disorders extinct?
Suicide numbers continue rising,
How can we stop ourselves from despising?
Depression, anxiety, suicide
How can we love ourselves without a guide?
Who are we all comparing ourselves to?
Who is this person that we once all knew?
Does anyone remember who we were?
Everything keeps moving past like a blur
Social media amplifies it all
Everyone tries to be a barbie doll
Those who feel inferior have no hope
They all try to be “perfect”, as they cope
We seem to only know how to compare
Unable to see our own lives as rare
Only unrealistic expectations
Rejected, this will end with frustration
How can there be those who turn a blind eye,
When, for some, the solution is to die
Most teens are unable to ask for help
But how can they? stigma is clearly felt
“A cry for attention” is what they say
They don’t understand the burden that weighs
Depression is not a choice, or disease
It is not something that’s easily eased
Holding the blade, the girl could not feel pain
The wide world held it’s breath, as it poured rain
In Between the Lines
Tiffany Lei