Inadequate

-Michael Gratz ‘23

(3/16/2016) I live the best and happiest day of my life. Smiles are daily, laughter fills the room and life is at its peak. We chant, make jokes, and at my lowest I was never weak. Time goes on

(11/19/2016) I am happy, but choke every time I laugh. I am confused but life is still good. My company is still well, living life as I should. Time goes on

(10/7/2017) I woke up and my hair was missing. I put on a hat on top of it. Wow! Cool hat they say to me. I shrug myself to smile. They pass me and I think of it for a while. Time goes on

(3/10/2018) I woke up and I’m too skinny. I put on a hoodie to hide it. They walk past me and say nice hoodie. The laughter is dimmer and I wonder why that could be. Time goes on

(12/10/2018) I woke up and my feet blistered. I put on extra large shoes to cover them. The laughter is louder but we make jokes. I walk hiding who I am with these folks. Time goes on

(10/6/2019) I woke up and I traded my recovered laughter for tears. I use tissues to wipe them. The laughter is once again distant. I watch as they walk past me in a frozen stance. Time goes on

(11/17/2020) I woke up and my heart was exposed and deeply cut. I used tape to patch it. There is no more laughing that I can hear. They walk past me and notice that blood stained tear. We continue our ways without much more than a stare. Time goes on (3/7/2021) I woke up and my arms and legs are invisible. I wore long sleeves and jeans to hide them. I look them in the eye and they look through mine. I go to shake hands but my hand glides through their hand. They walk by as if nothing happened. Time goes on

(11/16/2021) I woke up and I am entirely invisible. There is nothing to do to fix it. I watch as they walk by. I see them, they don’t see me. I observe as a spectator, I mind my own business. I hover around watching their success. Good for them. Time goes on -Griffin Hatley ‘22