What I Am to You

Location

47933
United States
40° 2' 35.07" N, 86° 55' 20.4348" W

I am the character in the book that is too important to die
Yet not worth mentioning
I live in the back of your mind
So as not to startle you when my name is mentioned
I deserve a name
But not a chapter in your book
Not that much of your time

I am a dot on a map
The gold-flecks in your eyes
I exist and am known
But not worth any sort of conversation
I exist in your knowledge,
I live only in your factually memory

I am the moth that flutters at your porch light
You see me there,
I might even captivate your attention for a bit,
But in the end you go back inside
And return to other endeavors
Something of more importance

I am the china in your cupboard
Forgotten until an important occasion
Calls for my retrieval
Then cleaned with care
And packed back into a box
Set aside until a later date

I am a witch in a children’s movie
Too evil and mean to end up a protagonist in the end
But far too nice to be worthy of any real respect
Children will never love me
But nor will they fear me as they drift to sleep

I am dry white bread
I lack the real appeal of white bread, I am not soft and smooth
I act like wheat bread,
But I also lack the nutritional value it has
So I am the loaf that sits
Waiting,
Alone and untouched at the store
Waiting for a sale to redeem me in the buyers’ eyes

I am the kiss of your beloved pet
Loved and appreciated,
But quickly wiped away
Avoided when possible
Slimy and endearing

I am everything loved from your childhood
Tucked away and forgotten
To be brought out when a memory calls
Or your mother feels like embarrassing you

And yet I am so much more,
Than what you see in front of you
I am more than you can ever imagine
Greater than you’ll ever see
Yet never good enough
Not in your eyes
And I’ll never stop being this:
I am just me.

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