Who I Am

Who are you to tell me who I am?

I'm just a kid who is struggling in this tough world.

I don't mean harm by anyone but myself.

I walk down the street, my head hanging low,

hoping to not make eye-contact with anyone I know.

Who are you to tell me who I am?

I'm just a boy with scuffed shoes and

aching bones. I only try to gain the approval

of those I love, but often fail.

I want to be successful, but it's difficult,

this you know.

Who are you to tell me who I am?

A society that believes it knows what's

best for me. I'm one in seven billion, how

could you possibly know? I'm trying to

survive, but it gets tougher each and every day.

Who are you to tell me who I am?

I try my best to appreciate what is often

overlooked or thrown aside. I try to make these

things �" despite the inanimateness of them �" feel

appreciated and special because I know all

too well what is like to not feel appreciated

and special.

Who are you to tell me who I am?

I may have been down before, but

can't you see I'm in the midst of

standing again? Poor posture, but

feet planted.

Who are you to tell me who I am?

I'm young, but I'm not stupid. I'm

a mixture of thrown together elements

to combine to create this miserable

human being standing before you.

Who are you to tell me who I am?

A perfect juxtaposition when looking

from the past to now: from elated to

despondent, from youthful to old,

from emotional to analytical. What

have I done? Where have I gone?

Who are you to tell me who I am?

I'm disappearing.

I'm leaving.

I'm fading.

I'm gone.

I'm

Who are you to tell me who I am

when I don't even know the answer

myself.