Never have I ever

really,

completely,

or even almost so

fit in.

I’ve always been best

at filling empty spaces

people have left blank,

hollow corners

in the dark part

of any room.

I like to linger

in the peripheral places

just out of sight.

By choice,

unnoticed.

Invisibility,

double-edged sword,

a price to pay

for my protection

because sometimes, 

only sometimes,

I simply want

someone to see me.

I cherish the ones

who caught a glimpse

of the girl in the corner

and didn’t turn away.

Crystal R. Cook