[from a Kate E. Austin-Avon multi-medium painting 'Self Portrait'] br br I tear out this sheet of knowledge br Discarding it br Apparently, no one has br Any aspirations br To read these experiences br Besides, I have more to vocalize br Than one sheet br Words keep running off the sheet br I begin to express myself loudly br On account, my words br Becomes meaningless br No one examines deep enough no more br My self-portrait vanishes br From the stereotypes hurled at you br Keep supplying hints br Loudly, I present my true self br Communicating various ways br Explaining constantly br To be not invisible br Yet you believe in these stereotypes br not in me br I do believe in myself br You apparently don't br not even in yourself br It seems I can't escape br These stereotypes br I've tried every opening br It continues to be br Overshadowed by br Stereo-typical liesbr br R.K.