A poem by Anna Bechtel, entitled "Pale."
Start writing a post

Poetry On The Odyssey: Pale

Hope you like it!

32
Poetry On The Odyssey: Pale

This semester, I took a poetry workshop as one of my classes. Even though the main reason I took it was that one of the classes I wanted to take was full by the time I was set to register, I really liked writing poetry and wanted to write more of it.

I ended up falling back in love with writing poetry and did pretty well in the class. This was one of the poems I wrote for the class. I initially wrote it late at night and submitted it for the workshop because I liked the idea of the poem, but I knew it needed work. I ended up reworking it for my final, and it turned out pretty well. Here it is for all of you.

Pale

I used to mock the people who tanned

Questioned why they wanted to look that way

Questioned why they wanted to harm their skin

Mocked the ones that looked orange

I used to love my skin

Loved the way it shone in the light

Loved how soft it felt against my sheets

I used to love pale

I used to love my skin

Loved how it looked with my dark hair

Realized how washed-out I looked

I started to hate pale

Now

I see how everything sticks out

I see those dark marks under my eyes

Still not sure of where they came from

Or if they'll go away

I see those greasy bumps

Appearing nonstop

Like snow-capped mountains

I see scabs and red patches

That always show up

When those greasy bumps leave

This is hard to cover up with makeup

This doesn't look good in fluorescent light

This doesn't look good in a mirror

Or through an iPhone camera

I can feel people's eyes

Staring at my flaws

Quietly judging me

It's karma

I see why people tan

Why they want to hide

Why they need that layer

Why they hate being pale

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

938011
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

114895
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less
New Year Resolutions

It's 2024! You drank champagne, you wore funny glasses, and you watched the ball drop as you sang the night away with your best friends and family. What comes next you may ask? Sadly you will have to return to the real world full of work and school and paying bills. "Ah! But I have my New Year's Resolutions!"- you may say. But most of them are 100% complete cliches that you won't hold on to. Here is a list of those things you hear all around the world.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Ultimate Birthday: Unveiling the Perfect Day to Celebrate!

Let's be real, the day your birthday falls on could really make or break it.

92514
​different color birthday candles on a cake
Blacksburg Children's Museum

You heard it here first: birthdays in college are some of the best days of your four years. For one day annually, you get to forget about your identity as a stressed, broke, and overworked student, and take the time to celebrate. You can throw your responsibilities for a day, use your one skip in that class you hate, receive kind cards and gifts from loved ones and just enjoy yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments