I take up labels

On an endless mission to actually discover

Every aspect of who I am

And I would proudly use “flawless” as one check off the list,

Even though I am flawed.

If you believe you are perfect

And a roaring lion, a warrior, an angel

Then you will become one; you will be seen as one.

I see myself as leader.

As resilient water, as determined fire

As tiger and black sheep

As treble clef and venus figure

As words tacked together with commas and out of place

Melodic and harmonic parts. My stitching

Is made of feathers and my skin of iron.

These pieces have been formed for seventeen years and some are

Still in the making, and I recognize the cracks

I see my flaws and know

I am still flawless.