At age three, Kim Ung-yong
Entered university; I
Learned my ABCs through public television.

At age eight, Mozart
Wrote his first symphony; I
Sang Gloria in my church Christmas pageant.

At age fourteen, Picasso
Gave birth to a Barefoot Girl; I
Hoped to pass my school art class with a ‘B’.

At age nineteen Joan of Arc
Was burned for hearing voices; I
Do not know what my voice will bring.

I do know I am lost -
Not completely lost,
Because to be completely lost one must not know their surroundings.
And while I may not know if I will be a Saint,
Or a child great
I do know some things:
I watch movies and splurge on chocolate candy,
Wear scarves and high-top sneakers,
And am unable to whistle.
I know the joy of hearing applause
While prancing about in pink tights,
Was once afraid of bees,
And music is my indulgence.
I am a heavy sleeper,
Horrible at spelling,
And am accident-prone.
I know the tastes of eight different pills,
Have lived in nine different homes,
And can play ten types of tag.

I may not be significant in the grand scheme of things,
But I matter. Everyone matters,
Every small flap of a butterfly’s wing matters;
And we will all change the world some day.