not your muse
I’ve always found things to admire
within myself
but I didn’t think anyone else was paying
attention
for a school hallway is not the Louvre
and I am not in two
dimensions
You compared us to paintings
and now
my face is painted with a smile
I’m not used to being
observed
at least it’s been awhile
Mona Lisa
hung upon your wall
judged
for a smile too small
so I’m sorry,
but the museum is closed
this exhibit is no longer
on display
you looked a little too close
and picked the petals
off of my Monet
About the Author: Originally from Nebraska, Jayden Leonard is currently a freshman at a small Christian college in Colorado. She has previously been published in her high school and college's literary journals, Appelley Publishing's 2019 Rising Stars Collection, and Nebraska's Poetry of Place website. In the future Jayden would like to use her talents to become a professional songwriter and author.
