who we are

we are who we are
and we’re not who we’re not
we’ve been where we’ve been
done what we’ve done
can’t change the past
wouldn’t want to anyway
invisible little strings
began pulling us the day we were born
as they pulled our parents before us
and their parents before them
pulled us through ‘happy childhoods’
ever notice how most people recall their childhood as happy?
it’s because they haven’t learned to view the world through
the ‘adult’ framework
the one that teaches us we’re not who we thought.
We are who we are.
and with the ‘adult’ framework comes the shades of gray
between black and white
(not that’s not a reference, just a cliche)
where we can be sad getting to happy
and happy when we’re sad
where we cry and laugh and aren’t sure
which is why and what hurts more
where we lash out at the ones we love
when we’re feeling down
because we mistakenly think it’ll make us feel better
or make them feel like us
and all it ends up doing is making us feel worse
and them as well
the ‘adult’ framework is where we realize society’s norms
aren’t necessarily ours
and being an adult
our culture would have us believe
means being selfless
but the in ‘adult’ framework we realize being selfless isn’t pinned to intrinsic rewards
that make us feel all good and happy
but drags us down, spiritually and emotionally
why is it our responsibility to make others happy
the ‘adult’ framework is where we realize our happy is our responsibility
and while we’re told to find happy in the mundane
real happiness is obviously worth pursuing
it’s written right into the damn Declaration of Independence.
Be an adult, declare it for yourself:
Pursue happiness.
It’s your right as an American
don’t waive it
Wave it.
Stand proud.
We are who who we are.