Callie Watrous Poet Free verse

The Shadows Prayer

Why does everyone love you?
That's an unfair question.
How could they not love you?

I love you -
but I'm stuck in your shadow.
Always with you…
but never truly seen.

‘Cause why would you look at someone's shadow 
When the true form
is right there?

I'm scared to introduce you to my friends.
Because I'm afraid they will like you more.
I'm afraid they will leave me -
for you.

You don't know this…
but it's happened before.

We had a performance.
You got flowers -
from four different people.
I got to watch you walk around 
with flowers..
from four people who love you, 

while I walked around
hands empty.

You walk into a room -
it’s like the sun warming up a chilly day.
All eyes turn to you.

You make everyone happy.
You make me happy.
But you also make me hate myself.

Sometimes I’m feeling great -
I feel like me, and it feels good.
I think I have it all together for once…

then I look at you, 
and realize I'll never live up.

It's not like it's your fault.
You can't help it.
You’re just being you -
perfect, lovable you.

When I look at you, 
there isn't a flaw in sight.
And trust me…
I’ve searched.

I don't want to be jealous.
But I'm afraid it might be true.

You deserve everything good in this world.
And I know if you got that,
You would share it with me too.

It's why I love you so much.
It’s why the whole world
seems to love you too

If I could only be half as good as you…
it would make my day.
But you’re an impossible standard -
the most impossible standard.

It hurts just to be around you,
just to hear your voice -
‘cause even that
sounds like a gift from God

You’re my favorite person…
but am I yours?

How can I be - 
when literally everybody 
is in love with you?

You’re my best friend.
My number one.
My forever first pick.

I'll be by your side 
forever and always.
Because I love you -
just like everyone else.

Maybe everyone loving you 
is the issue.

When everyone is in love with you, 
I get lost in the mess.
I think that's it.

Maybe it's that you’re always 
the center of attention,

while I'm sitting in the background,
watching you fly.

But maybe 
It's that nobody loves me 
even half as much
as they love you.

I wish I was like you -
but I'd never wish for you to be less.
‘Cause you would never wish that 
for me.

I guess it's everything.
I just want to be loved - 
not by just anyone…
I want to be loved by you

Because if someone everyone loves...
loves me…

maybe, 
just maybe…
I can be worth something.

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