I feel so empty and alone
too serious and uptight, says other people
I can’t even crack a joke though I always
get people laughing; I never have much to say
let alone anything meaningful to contribute
to conversations personal or work-related.

I always seem to be the odd one out
ever the misunderstood one
asking the “wrong” questions
or “don’t seem to understand,” a question
based on my unique responses. That is
the mess I’ve allowed to get stuck in my head
almost silencing my one-in-a-million voice
it’s the constant comparison
and the negative self-talk.