Pretty Labels (Poem)

I stood by a store window,

With a smile on my face,

A sweet lady stops and says,

“Son, you seem out of place”

I point in at the garments,

“Ma’am, don’t you see?

All those pretty little labels,

Are a reflection of me,

Those labels are power,

They’re fortune and fame,

The quality means nothing,

It’s all in the name,

I’m honest and loyal,

I smile and I care,

But I’m gay and I’m chubby,

And I’m losing my hair,

I’m smart and I’m funny,

But sometimes I cry,

I feel helpless and hopeless,

And I don’t know why,

I say my prayers before bed,

But I snore when I sleep,

I’m great in the kitchen,

But I sometimes overeat,

I care about people,

But I pamper myself,

I’ll lend a hand to anyone,

But sometimes I need help,

I’m ambitious and determined,

But sometimes stray from my path,

I can tell some good jokes,

But sometimes snort when I laugh,

I get needy quite often,

And I hate to be alone,

I’m sometimes silly and childish,

Yet sometimes too grown,

So see there are snags in my fabric,

I’m not one size fits all,

I’m not quite right for the runway,

Neither springtime or fall,

But I wear my many labels with dignity,

I am as proud as can be,

See my pretty labels are priceless,

Because they’re made just for me!”