I Can Pretend Poem by Marcellus Watts

I can pretend that I'm fine
I can pretend that I like it
I can pretend that I ignore it
I can pretend that I'm immune
I can pretend that everything's fine
I can pretend that I don't care
I can pretend that I don't notice it
I can pretend that I don't hear them
I can pretend that I don't hear the whispers
I can pretend that I don't notice the frequent looks
I can't pretend that I fit in
I can pretend that I'm a part of the crowd
I can pretend that they like me
I can pretend to ignore the facts
I can pretend and act ignorant in bliss
I can pretend and laugh about it
I can pretend to not care
I can pretend to shrug off the name calling
I can pretend and ignore the hate
I can pretend like it's all well and dandy
I can pretend that I'm positive about it
I can't lie to myself
I can pretend to pretend
But I still can't lie to myself