chosen first

It isn't that I needed to be first

waiting to be chosen for teams, projects, friendships

I always recognized that there were others who were

smarter

prettier

more agile 

with talents I would never possess

I didn't have to be number one

so I would wait

not even knowing I was holding all that expectation

like air I wasn't breathing

its okay to not be first

but please, oh please

don't let me be last

the worst of the worst

the icon, the idol of ridicule

the one forced upon 

unwanted

just let me be in the middle somewhere

not sticking out like a untold joke

as another school year resumes

take a moment to remember those days

pray for the unwelcome

for the bullied

and the brutal

may they know

they are each and all
chosen first

in the eyes of Him Who created us all

linking with Lisa-Jo today where the word is last