Talia Gibbs, 2021 Original Poetry Winner

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Fun-size

You can say that I am short.
You can make fun of me all you want.
You can rest your arm on my head,
but I can kick you in the shins.
And well that may not
sound particularly nice,
I am always prepared to fight.
I’m always fighting for a say because you think I’m small—
which I am.
But you only mock me.
If you are going to point out my height,
the least you could do is slow down
when walking because I have to spend
twice as much energy just to keep up with your long legs.
So don’t make fun of me.
I’m fun-sized.
And why is short an insult,
but if I call you tall,
you won’t be defending yourself.
You won’t have to force yourself to be confident and strong
just to get noticed in a room.
So, why do you keep mocking me?
And maybe I should take it as a compliment
that the only thing you can find about me
to mock is something I have no control over.
That sure says something about me,
but what does that say about you?

Talia Gibbs

Gold Key, 2021 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards