You talk to me like I’m the issue,

As if my questions are mistakes

And my silence is a flaw

All I do is give myself to you, 

All in, every single time. 

Working harder when others don't, 

Trying to be your favorite, 

Trying at least to make you happy

But all you do is talk, 

And talk, 

About how I'm incompetent

Or maybe you don't say it outright 

But that's how you make me feel

I’m never good enough for you. 

To you, I'm just another student 

Who can't understand your mind

You expect me to read it

Without words, without light

And still somehow get it right. 

When I ask to understand, 

You make me feel foolish

Like I’ve broken something sacred

Every question feels too small

Every answer is a reminder that I will never measure up

I feel stupid next to you

I feel stupid when I speak to you

I feel stupid

No matter how hard I try to remind myself

That I'm not.