Shades

If I want to stand in my own light
And shine in it
Then I need to make myself more beautiful
Not to them, but to me
Then I can put forth who I am
With confidence and with certainty that I'll be okay
But since I want to continue presenting a true image
I've always known I had to design a beautiful way
So I've been creating shades
Ones to keep me warm and blanket me through troubles
To comfort me through struggles
To help me get out of these bubbles
To fuel my strength in doubles
I hope to be proud of what I've made

And maybe it's a shame to feel that what I'm needing
Is to attach more definition to give this all some sort of meaning
But it feels like it's the only way to really start believing
That I can become so much of the person I've been seeing
That girl who reveals herself in glimpses over the years
Reflections of her value sparkle through streams of broken tears
She can't know all that she's worth with all of these unconquered fears
And it's hard to ask for help when no one listens or even hears
But I have visions of what she could do and all of them feel right
They are within her reach if she takes a chance on flying those heights
So many different thoughts and ideas about living life
Sure maybe she can't accomplish them, but there's a possibility she just might
And she'll never know if she doesn't try to strike the match
The only way to spark it is to walk down that path
So if I want her to have a chance at burning bright
Then I will be the shade to hide her in times of fright
The one to cover her as she shows vulnerability to the world
To hold her tight, to keep her safe as she evolves into the girl
That I know she can be
Such a special part of me
We will give them all an example
Of who we are, offer a sample

And they can say whatever they like about shades
They can judge and say I'm wrong for doing things this way
I will stay strong from courage that I know I will display
Raw authentic version of my heart just a bit encased
I will not wear masks
I will not promote deceptive tasks
But I'll keep walking out in shades and take steps at my own pace
Transparent but protected with a shield as my brace
Light shining brighter the more growth that I face
Hoping to arrive where I find purpose... my life place