When you stare at me, you see a disease,
and you blame it for everything that makes me me;
All my quirks and flaws just a broken brain.
My successes erased: to you, I’m insane.

I remember the day that everything changed:
I mentioned a chemical lack in my brain.
You looked at me, then looked away.
That day I learned your true face.

I’m not broken or diseased. There is no cure needed for me.
I’m smart and creative; passionate and free.
The successes I build you’ll never meet.
It’s not in spite of my disorder. It’s because I’m me.

But here’s the truth, broken or whole:
The disgust in your eyes names you the fool.
Prejudiced and bigoted, you see only failure.
But mental illness can be a strength,

a fact you’ll never learn.
And let’s not forget it’s myself I most often hurt,
while you toss words like daggers
and leave me to bleed in the dirt.

You name me monster, but it’s you that should be feared.
My scars bear your brand even as you sneer.

I remember the day that everything changed:
I mentioned a chemical lack in my brain.
You looked at me, then looked away.
That day I learned your true face.