Change

You've come to misunderstand
That I am more than you thought

I've learned what's been taught
I'm less than I thought

We've both been duped
And it pulled more than a few hairs
And more than a few years

I see, or so I think I see
That as I've reestablished my ground
Yet you think I was worse off

I was, am, and will be fine
But it's harder to learn alone
When we forget and need reminding
So I placed a trust upon you

It proved to work so far so well

But time has recycled
And I will not wear your definition of me
Just like I've refused the past few

I may change through learning
But I am still the same

You may stay mistaken
And I'll try to not give up

Someday we'll both see
why we received what we received
and why I took my step towards growth and change
and you stayed to see the worst of me

They say...

There are times in life that shape who we are. These times are many.
I want to say "I am because," but in actuality "things are because I am." And it's these times that only help me to better see myself than to become myself. My potential has always been, I may just be reluctant to being it sometimes. It's a choice to be less than what I am, and I try to choose otherwise.
These experiences with agency teach me to be more like who I am, to learn more of who I am.
I chose to accept the responsibility to be me and to accept the consequences of choices I and others make.
I propose that "things are because I am" because life was made for us as individuals.
Life is tailored to who we are. My life has been tailored according to my strengths, my weaknesses, my talents, my passions, my fears, to me - to who I am.
I am not tailored for the life I experience.

Smiles (My Friends)

Are like pieces of sunshine you can gobble up
You can just keep eating
You won't get fat
You only look more beautiful

I love your smile when you think I'm funny
You'll hug me and laugh out loud
With great light in your eyes

Your smile when I quickly kiss your cheek
Gives me butterflies
To know I've made you happy
Your smille when you hug me
I know we are great friends

The smile you shine makes me feel so young
I love your special laugh
And knowing you're being yourself
And you've made me a best friend

You're a babe with your smile
Your stupid jokes and mocking laugh
My best friend and favorite brother
Most contagious smile

I keep your smiles in my pockets
Pull them out now and then
Try them on and love my days