People Like Us

We’re the fucked up generation

The ones with more flaws than smiles

We’re destroying our own bodies

On a road that goes on for miles

There’s voices in our heads

Telling us to stop, give in, give up

But we don’t listen subconsciously

Instead we drink and get banged up

Self-harm scars and anti-depressants

Have become so normal nowadays

And you remember when choosing your ice-cream flavour

Was the most difficult decision of the day

Having sex at thirteen

And smoking twenty or more

Has become so normal

Or else you are a bore

Eating disorders take over

As girls gaze at twigs on the cat-walk

Wishing they looked as thin as that

Not realising their mind is warped

Technology is our new best friend

You can hide behind the keys

Tapping vicious words, press enter

As someone breaks down on their knees

Drugs are accessible

If you know the right gang

Getting high, lighting joints

To prove to them you’re a man

Education doesn’t matter

When you get married at seventeen

Have three children by the age of twenty two

Without achieving all your dreams

Alcohol fuels your brain

With an escape from this place

But you don’t understand

It’s not a competition or a race

You can be yourself

It’s not an offence or a crime

Enjoy your childhood while it’s there

You’ll soon run out of time

The people like us

The fucked up girls and boys

Like to make a mess

And lots and lots of noise

We’ll carry on living

Making mistakes as we go

But in the end we need to learn

That the self-hate has to go

Because how can someone love you

When you don’t love yourself

It’s like reading a book

That’s gathered dust on the shelf

You stare in the mirror

With tears falling down your face

You’re not perfect and never will be

But you’re part of the human race.

(Inspired by Kelly Clarkson's song People Like Us)