- Pieces of Me -

In my childhood,
I heard my mother's laugh
fill up a room,
so I stole it
and made it my own.
I listened to the endless jokes
that made that laughter roar,
so I stole my father's humor
and made it my own.
I watched my older brother
stand steadfast to protect me,
so I stole his loyalty
and made it my own.
I felt my younger brother's smile
warm every heart,
so I stole his joy
And made it my own.
I saw my grandmothers
look at their families with love,
so I stole the light in their eyes
and made it my own.
I watched my grandfathers
tinker, create, and build,
so I stole their curiosity
and made it my own.
I watched my aunts
and uncles and cousins
overcome hardships
and adversity,
so I stole their bravery
and made it my own.
I met my closest friends
enamored by the comfort
found in their own skin,
so I stole their singularity
and made it my own.
I am a patchwork
made of everything I loved
throughout my childhood,
and I have spent my adulthood
trying to tear it down.