I learned to see myself...

I learned to see myself

through someone else's eyes,

and I swallowed the entire image.

When I came into this world,

I didn't know who I was,

didn't even know I was.

No name, no shape,

just breath.

They told me:

"This is you"

and I believed them.

Too young to question,

too small to resist,

and I wore their words 

on my skin.

I thought that was me,

because they said so.

But now I know

The biggest lie ever told

was the one I believed.

I am nothing carved in stone.

I am smoke until I choose form,

silence until I choose voice.

I am nothing

but what I decide to be

when I dare to want it.

and that wanting,

that choosing,

is where I begin.