Patchwork

There are,
at least,
a thousand-and-one
ideas,
from at least
a thousand-and-one
places,
about how
You should
be You.

So, will You
patch together,
with spit and
bubblegum,
a patchwork
You,

in order to
make happy
those
thousand-and-one
idea spewers,

as if You
owe them
a debt, or
to avoid their
ridicule, or
dodge their
displeasure, or

to placate
the relentless
demons of
shame and guilt
with whatever
must be
sacrificed of
Your For Real
Self?

Or will You be
Who You Are.
Now.
In this instant.

(Photo by Volha Milovich; UnSplash)