[Written for /r/DDLC's Writing Weekend @ https://redd.it/83gcmn] Shades ------ I thought I knew who I was. I was the cool one. Aloof, distant, calm. The perfect personality For such a dreary world. I lived behind my shades. They showed my coolness off to the world. That's who I was, after all. I was satisfied with being me. Or so I thought. The shades were itching my nose so I took them off, just for a little bit. I was assaulted by the light. The blinding, burning light. I didn't have the shades to protect me anymore. I had to stand on my own. I let my eyes adjust. Just to see. I was astonished. The world was so vibrant, so lively. The sky was painted with an assortment of hues Each cloud it's own individual stroke To a canvas I once thought dull, not worthy of my attention. I might have thought I was content, living behind my shades, but that's not who I am and that's not what I want. I might not know who I am But I'm a lot more satisfied than I was Knowing for once what all is out there What all I can be.