I am...

define definition
I am not a widget
you cannot force upon me
boxes of restraint
for I am not
refined and defined by such a fine line
I am not stopped by the word “normal”
here are my anti-mainstream
opinions concerning me
one cannot measure
ability by essay
inspiration by multiple choice
nor knowledge by regurgitation
wisdom is not measured by academics
you do you during your life
does not determine grade point average
for I am not who I was
not yesterday
not today
not now
for now has passed
I am not my pasts coalesced
moving on, hard learned lessons
I am not painful experiences-
death shows the frailness of life
I am not tears compiled over countless nights
heartbreak does not heal over night
but a whole heart looks back and grins
at how far he has come
I am not a sum of my failures
yet sleep depravity pays to not give up
I am not commercialized
every intentional word speaks from my innermost being
I am not rebellion
unless against being stagnant
I am not a hard worker
when mine eyes are not fixed upon the ultimate goal
I am not who I am not
and in finding everything I am not,
there it is
you will find who I am