Identity

Initial notions of who you hope I am
will never add up to the woman that is me.
These graven images of desire fall short
of my actual passion and talent.

I am so much more than this womb.
And I’ll be damned if I’m nothing more
than a pleasing configuration
of convexities and concavities.

I am the only manifestation of me.
And that is good enough for anyone
who cares to look with honest eyes,
untainted by a film of wants.

And now I know with certainty that
I can never be who you want me to.
Unless it’s me you want.


Donia Lilly
17 March 2004