Who am I?
I,
I’m my thoughts,
My dreams,
My aspirations.
I’m my name,
My looks,
My imagination.
That’s what I see,
When I stare,
Into my reflection.
My reflection,
Ripples in the river of life,
The shallow,
Shallow river of life.
To the world,
I am my reflection:
I am only what the world sees,
Only what the world decides I am.
My body is but a vessel;
Why must the world ignore me,
But acknowledge the vessel?!
Books, merely objects
Are still judged
By only their covers,
So who am I to demand
They not judge me
By only what they can see.
The inside of a book
Is where the value lies
But most people don’t bother;
It’s easier to judge
From the outside
My body is a part of me,
It embodies my soul
My personality,
But it is not all I am.
I am not my scars,
My disability,
I am me,
A completely separate entity.
I, Me,
Not just what you see
Unruly Bodies 
wow this is a beautiful piece of poetry, i am ecstatic that you were able to share this with us, i feel your emotions and the who am i truly vibe. that sense of embodiment and where it comes from is truly interesting to me the way you describe it! thank you for sharing
I cannot help but think “wow” when reading this work of art. Just the simple relations of your words with my experience and the experience of so many people, outcasted and Othered over the shape and figure and livelihood of a body. The relation of the body as a being judged like the cover of a book is a great analogy, and I love that you also comment on how everyone still does it.
Thank you!
UGH this was beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. This is something that will touch so many people’s hearts because it is just so relatable. It really speaks on how shallow society is on the surface level. Everything is so materialistic and exclusive of anything that is outside of the norm and It is truly so sad. But speaking on it through art forms like this truly gives a new perspective that allows for people to feel understood, heard, and represented. It is very much needed. Thank you!
Your introspective words deeply resonated with me. The struggle between external perceptions and internal identity is a universal challenge. Your analogy of the shallow river of societal judgment versus the rich depth of personal identity beautifully captures this conflict.
The comparison to judging books by their covers emphasizes the societal tendency to overlook inner complexities in favor of surface judgments. Your plea for recognition beyond physical attributes echoes a shared desire for understanding.
The distinction between your body and your true self is powerful. You highlight the importance of being seen beyond external labels, emphasizing individuality beyond scars or disabilities.
In essence, your words articulate the frustration of being reduced to external perceptions and the yearning for acknowledgment of the complete, multifaceted “I, Me.” Your journey of self-discovery is beautifully expressed, and I empathize with the challenges you’ve faced in navigating societal expectations.