Behind This Page - A Poem by J.A. McCormick

Photo by Adolfo Félix on Unsplash

Quietly I hide
Behind this paper.
Content to disappear
Accept for what 
I choose to show
Here on this page.
For I am not what you believe.
My identity was never negotiable
And I realize now
That it was a mistake 
To give you a vote.
So farewell
To all of you
Whom I love so much.
I love you still,
Perhaps better 
For what you cannot see
Since I no longer allow
What you think of me 
To determine what I am
And how I love you.
Nor will I allow
How you appear 
To sway me 
In my estimation of you.
For here in the quiet silence
Of my solitary life,
You are all I ever knew you were,
Noble, sweet, true and kind.
Brave and faithful
To what you meant to be.
But if you ever forget 
Your majesty - Your beauty,
Come find me here,
For though lost to yourself you be,
You are not lost to me.