I made a choice
At different times I chose two labels,
I grew into those labels
I made them mine
Both of them had happy memories attached. Because of them I learnt; I grew; I became more than I had been.
I chose other labels
Never knowing if they’d stick
Some are transient, occasional
They bring joy for a time
And I am grateful for both the learnings and the memories, experiences and the potential they allude to
Some of my labels don’t bring me joy
And I’m left wondering how accurate they are
And if I should have accepted them
Some are public and some unseen
I have labels even I don’t recognise
Because they exist only in my psyche
At depths I fear to go
Regardless of the reason
Or the truth behind the label,
whether it’s removed by my hand
Or that of someone else
Like a band-aid
It hurts when it is ripped off
sanctuary5014 