I stood out among the crowd
all dressed in white and black
most wore skirts, and button up shirts
there hair was tamed each strand tucked away

They all sang lyrics repeated
with no moral to the melody
and looked down their nose
at those sitting in wait of their turn

But I wore ripped jeans
a shirt bright as day
hair in unbound curls
and a smile as I went

I stood in front of the judge
and heard each snicker
and remark that my attire
was not suitable, and for that I would fail

At first it stung a bit
to hear how cruel they could be
but then I remembered
that I was the one standing
up there showing the world
that I am me

And I sang with confidence
that when I sat down
they would remember me

That girl with the crazy friends
and an outfit unlike the rest
but sang with her head held high
and was proud because
she was raw and true
and sang with the song
instead of just going with the motions.