I’m no longer looking inside
someone else’s face
for recognition. I’ll look at my own reflection
when I need recognition. I’m no longer looking

inside someone else’s heart
for love. I’ll look inside my own heart. And love me
with all my heart. Inside myself is where
I want to be. Inside myself lives a unique individual

who has many great gifts to offer
this world. But first I must offer the greatest gift
of all, which is the gift of love that I offer to myself,
with no pretense or strings or relying on someone

else. This is me, incredible and crazy. This is me,
amazing and peculiar. This is me flowing and
free. This is me angry and disturbed. This is me a clown
and a nerd. This is me silly, crying and delirious. This is me

reflective and serious. There is more. Yes, so much more,
and more and more yet to come. I’ll never be done
with me, a work in progress, who gets lost and comes back
to this - being me. No one else can do “me” better.