I AM

I’m a writer because I write

I’m an artist because I make art

I’m a floral designer because I design with flowers

I’m a naturalist because I revere and observe nature

I’m a mother because I mother

I’m a friend because I am a friend

I’m a neighbor because I act neighborly

I’m a singer because I sing

I’m a dancer because I dance

I’m a lover because I love

I am immensely more than these

I am none at all

I need no payment profit certificate followers

Salary degree job title accolades or approval

To validate any of it

I am validated by doing what I do

By being who I am

And when nobody sees 

And when I am doing nothing

Sweet nothing

I am who I am

I am me

I like me

I’ll always be me

I’ll like and love me

Even when I don’t

Even when there’s nothing left

Not even this body

Jaclyn Edds Konczal | February 2022