The poem discusses how people often only see one facet or aspect of a person, rather than seeing them in their entirety. It suggests that people may see the speaker as the shy girl, loyal friend, teacher's pet, bold spirit, struggling athlete, or terrified survivor based on different facets of their personality or experiences, but that any single facet seen is only a part of the whole person. The poem encourages people to see beyond a single aspect and view others as a whole gem made up of multiple facets.

1. By Maya Giaguaro

2. When you look at a gem, what do you see?
Just one facet, or the gem in its entirety?

3. Do you see the shy girl, so quiet and meek,
Often silent in class and the last one to speak?

4. Do you see the loyal friend, so patient and true,
Always willing to stand up for you?

5. Do you see the teacher’s pet, so thorough and smart,
Too often getting the A’s that set her apart?

6. Do you see the bold spirit, so strong and free,
With the courage to persist and the wisdom of the sea?

7. Do you see the struggling athlete, just begging to be done,
Who lacks the strength and endurance to run?

8. Do you see the terrified survivior, not knowing what to do
When her life is turned upside down and changed into something new?

9. Do you see a shadow in your school, just part of the hall,
Another trick of the light, not really there at all?

10. When you look at a gem, the facet you see
Is only a part of a whole, only a part of me.

11. All images courtesy of google.com/images. I do
not own any of the pictures I used, nor do I know
the identities of any of the people pictured. I did,
however, write the poem.
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