Strive

"Tell us about yourself." 

Such a common request. 

Such a strong anxiety.

 

The pressure to answer correctly...

outweighs the need to be myself.

"What do you want to know?"

 

I'm certain they don't care about who I am. 

Rather they are asking, what I am. 

"Anything you find important."

 

Define important.

Define me. 

I can't be defined.

 

I don't snap into a group like a puzzle piece 

Rather I'm a card of fifty-two, a match to any other card,

because life is just a game to be won.

 

"I am me."

Three words should be enough.

Who you are should be preserved, for ones own sake.

 

My hair isn't straight,

same goes for my sexuality.

It'll surprise you which people are more concerned with. 

 

I don't mind being labeled a nerd,

if it means I can finally see the stars,

without them blurring.

 

I don't mind being called hard-working

if it means I can visit the stars,

without worrying.

 

Some might call me deranged,

because I talk to my pets, 

but everything needs a little love.

 

Some might call me insane

because I talk to myself,

but everyone needs a pep-talk.

 

So what, if I sing along to songs.

I might be off-key, or mess up the words,

but music says the things we can only feel.

 

And if I spend three hours,

learning the Doctor Who theme song on piano,

what's that to you?

 

Just because my hair is red, 

doesn't mean I'm begging for attention.

It just means, I'm me.

 

I don't strive to be anyone else.

I don't strive to have the spotlight on me.

I strive to do the best I can,

 

I strive towards the ideal,

that just maybe,

I can change the world.

 

I dream about it, with eyes wide open,

because no one achieved greatness,

by shutting themselves away.

 

If my ink stained hands bother you,

be assured that they are sketching out the future,

or at least, my plans for it.

 

If the fact that I talk a bit too loudly annoys you,

realize that great minds can't be silenced,

and I find no reason you can't join me.

 

I might shout the Pokemon theme song,

every single time it comes on,

but come on, who doesn't?

 

I might silence everyone in the room,

every time news relating to space comes on,

but come on, what striving engineer doesn't?

 

And just because I know the origin story of every superhero,

doesn't mean I feel mine will pale in comparison,

because all heroes start somewhere.

 

Not all heroes lead hidden lives, 

not all heroes get recognition,

but I still strive to be one.

 

Call me a loser if you wish.

Parties aren't my scene.

I'll take a long night of science experiments instead.

 

Please, excuse the pencil stuck in my hair.

I never know when inspiration will strike.

It would be sad to miss out on creating the future.

 

Forgive me, I don't mean to be rude,

I'm listening, truly!

It's just that my mind seems to wander.

 

In turn I will forgive you

when you ask me "Are you sure?"

after I tell you, "I want to be an Aerospace Engineer."

 

I'm striving to bring the new age of space travel,

so what does it matter if I make weird puns?

I know I can rely on myself to laugh at them. 

 

"I am me." 

It's alright if you don't understand.

You don't need to. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This poem is about: 
Me
Poetry Terms Demonstrated: 

Comments

Grant-Grey Porter Hawk Guda

Powerful expression! Please never stop expressing from the heart. Continue the journey of poetry. 

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