What if I smiled wider,
with more intention,
stared shorter,
stood longer,
stayed?

What if I dressed up,
dressed down,
did the makeup,
actually made the effort?

But the effort I make
is like a whalebone corset,
a fragile, uncomfortable affair,
leaves both of us surprised
at how awkward I can be.

What if I jumped
at the chance to be heard,
to be known,
to tell you exactly what I...