Because of All of These

Because I am my mother’s daughter,
I have learned to extend myself;
Make sure everyone is comfortable,
Everyone but me.

Because I am my father’s daughter,
I am selfish;
I have no qualms about leaving,
My devotion is to myself.

Because I am my brother’s sister,
I am patient, considerate;
I care more and expect less,
I am who I need to be.

Because I am my own person,
I write; fervently so,
About anything and everything,
Excavating worlds buried deep within.

Because I write,
I have had to remember;
The fruitless dances of trying to belong,
The loneliness that’s always at my door.

Beyond the growing pains,
In spite of the silent struggles;
Afloat in my humanity,
I am learning that I am enough for me.