LET ME BE ME

i have known the pain of heartbreak
i have tasted too many bitter tears
i have heard the vicious rumors
of busy tongues behind my back
and wonder why they won't let me
be me.
i have tried to be what other people wanted
i have lived my life according to
their rules.
i have played the role of a hapless clown
while inside my soul was aching
and still
they won't let me be me.
i have asked myself
this question a million times
is it worth it
being this misunderstood.
-realizing that no one has ever really
seen me.
dear God
why can't they just
let me be me?