THE NOT ME

I painted myself bigger than me
I painted myself with clout
I painted myself sturdy and strong
I painted myself so stout

I painted a construct, big and tall
So it could speak in my voice
I painted it so that it could be me
I felt I had no choice

I hid in its shadows, pulling the strings
I manipulated every joint
I gestured it wide, and gestured it grand
Just to make a point

But when I tried to enjoy my fame
I felt more futile than ever
For I was alone, ignored, just a bore
The construct was clearly better

I erased the construct that wasn’t the me
And looked all around for a friend
I told them I was the real, real me
But they just wanted pretend

They looked hither tither, up and down
For the me that wasn’t there
They looked at the blank nothing around
Then turned and looked elsewhere

They painted a construct, big and tall
So it could speak in my voice
They painted it so that it could be me
They felt they had no choice

They painted a me bigger than me
They painted a me with clout
They painted a me sturdy and strong
They painted a me so stout

They stood in its shadows, pulling the strings
They manipulated every joint
They gestured it wide, and gestured it grand
Just to make their point

I now watch from the side
Amazed at how duped they can be
And comfort myself with the false hope
That somehow I’ve been set free

By cindy

5/4/2018