I am not that innocent girl
you saw yesterday.
I am not that fragile doll
with blinking glass eyes.

I am that breath of air
you had squeeze from your lungs.

I am that walking water tank
with gasoline ready to explode.

I am that fortress
vulnerable and strong.

I am that stillness in motion
with words in my eyes, none on my tongue.

I am that ceiling fan
spinning out of control.

I am that baggage filled
leaking with secrets.

I am that street lamp at the corner
glowing in the morning.

I am not that flooded river
rippled with tears.
I am not that checked hallway
only black and white.

I am that ache in the stomach
not full and not satisfied.

I am that butterfly
with desire on my wings.

I am that unsettled heartbeat
unsure and confused.

I am that ribcage
no longer sufficient.

I am that umbrella
under never-raining skies.

I am that rock
tumbling right off course.

I am that connection
disconnected on phone lines.

I am not that façade
faceless without emotions.
I am not that empty black hole
living without a purpose.

I am that caveat
a warning never seen.

I am that thread and needle
trying to mend.

I am that silver bullet
a danger never shot.

I am that candle
flickering in the wind.

I am that old book
only skimmed and never analyzed.

I am that wind chime
dangling and tangled.

I am that daffodil
who say yellow is the color of love.

I am-and I simply am-
that girl you saw today
who says life’s worth living
when you know who you are.