Poetry By Sophia Braun

fiction of reality CC



Tales of the Heart

you once told me i’d never be enough and i believed you–for a while anyhow
              i believed you until i met one of my greatest friends. He allowed me to see that I’ve got
worth. He left a trace and will continue to do so. 

you once told me i was ugly and i believed you–for a while anyhow
              i believed you until I met a girl in history class, she said, “You’re so pretty!”, and I cried.
I never thought I’d hear those words describe me. 

you once told me that my height would stop me and i believed you–for a long while
              i believed you until I met a high school teacher, she said, “Your height is a subject, not
your ruler,” and I cried again. Those words have left an imprint in my heart. 

you once told me that i would never amount to anything and i believed you–for a while anyhow
             i believed you until i met another high school teacher and she said, “I see a spark… you’ll
go far,” and I felt relief. To hear those words put some confidence in me. 

you once told me that people would be foolish to believe in me and i believed you–for a while
anyhow 
              i believed you until I met Dr. Moore, she taught me that I could, no should, believe in
​myself and inspired me to write freely.

you once told me i’d never have real friends and i believed you
              i believed you until I met all the friends I have now, too many to name. They taught me
​that I could finally be me. 

you told me things that put me down for years, things that said i was worthless and that 
i didn’t deserve to live. and i believed those things, but i am here to say,

Not anymore.





Fight

When you’re tired of listening to them
Know that you can take a break
               Remember where you started 
               I used to be pushed by bullies and called
               Hurtful names: 
                               Ugly
                               Fat
                               Stupid
                               Too short to function

When you want to break down 
From having to put up with them 
Know that you can take a breath
             Remember where you are
             I worked so hard to get
             Where I am today:
                             Pretty
                             Perfect
                             Smart
                             Unique

When you’re tired of pushing through the day,
               Remember where you’re going

​


​
Sophia Braun is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing, with a minor in art, at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. She is the Art and Design Editor for Polaris Literary Magazine and is the Historian for Sigma Tau Delta, the national English honor society. After graduation, she hopes to work as an editor or designer in the publishing industry.