I stand on the edge of a harbor
Wind whistles through me
I stomp my feet, first soft, then harder
Scaring the birds so they fly to the sea.
If only that could be me.

I look in the window of the warm stone home
Children open ‘just because’ gifts
I stand there, smiling with all the happiness I’ve known,
Watching the children, my happy mood shifts
To if only that could be me.

I watch the kids, happy and carefree
Running around without any thought
Playing with friends, and laughing with obvious glee
Smiling and sharing jokes a lot
Not wishing that they weren’t themselves.

I try to take the plunge,
To make my fate and live a bit
To not be a slave and sit with my sponge
Cleaning the floor, like a small misfit.
I wish that wasn’t me.

I leave my sad place
Make my own way
I stop trying to win my sad race
Try to not say
That I wouldn’t be me.

I climb up the mountain
Huffing and heaving as I go
Leaving a trail of rocks, like a fountain
Following me in the snow.
For once, I’m glad that that isn’t me.

I reach the top
Huffing and heaving
Exhilarated and happy I take a breath and stop
For I’m not ready to be leaving
Because for once, I’m happy to just me be.

I climb down eventually, but I’m not the same.
I love myself, and I’m excited to stay that way
People give me strange looks, as if they think I’m playing a game
But I’m not. I just really want to say
That I am thrilled to be me.