my sister once told me
brother,
you’re not like everyone
else

and I wasn’t

I wouldn’t be my entire life
and I would be perplexed by it
but I would be happy

+

my father once told me
son,
you’re born to lead everyone
else

and I was

I would lead my entire life
and I would be stressed by it
but I would be happy

+

my friends once told me,
Caleb,
you’re more arrogant than everyone
else

and I was

I would be my entire life
and I was misunderstood for it
but I would be happy

+

I once told myself
man,
you’re not what everyone
else says

and I wasn’t

I was who I said I was
and I would accept that
and I would be happy with it
like no one else knew