PAD Day 21- What I am/What I am not Poem 4. What?!! I am not??!!

What?!! I am not??!!

What?

I am not the 

author of the

greatest novel

of all time 

surpassing

Anne of Green

Gables, out-

distancing Eyre

Oates, Atwood

and all the gals –

Joyce, Will, Irving, 

and all the boys –

What?

I am not the

Poet Laureate

of the Universe

my words floating

in inaugurations and 

dreams -whispered

and shouted at rallies

and at weddings

funerals and births

What?

I am not the analyst

who lifted depression

and anxiety, forever – 

for all -the one who 

out Anna’d Anna –

What?

I am not feted mother

Beflowered bedecked 

beloved each instant -

who will be mourned

with joy for each moment

of each morsel fallen from

her lips to their mouths

What?

I am not

Tall and slim

racing marathons

swimming channels 

with a nodding know-

ledge when needed

to Chanel 

What?

I am not that

Woman who is 

worth more than 

a truckload of rubies

to all who know, 

have known or 

will ever know 

her

What?

How could this be

how could I simply

be me – impossibly

pearl