do you ever look in the mirror and wonder
wonder about where you’ve come from
from which ancestor did you inherit
that exact tilt of nose
the mischievous glint in eye
that aversion to sauerkraut strong
a tapestry of possibilities
that narrowed down, down, down
to become–you
there might be nothing new under the sun
in general
but there has never before been this exact
combination of you
the way you walk and talk
your particular set of talents or weakness
your formative history, relationships that
have influenced
lifelong stories collected that dance around
and intertwine as your opinions form
what makes you laugh or smile
what interests hold your mind
there has never before been
and will never ever be again–
a more you version of you
please recognise that you, my friend
are one of a kind, the rarest of rare
an undeniable original signed
take yourself out into the world
and treat yourself with all the
respect, tenderness and care
that you require
and remember to appreciate
the details of other
masterpieces too
Heather Pound 2024
Heather Pound 