I’m the rubber 
duck which once
brought so much 
fun but now
takes on water 
making it sink
no longer buoyant 
playful and bobbing
about I quietly 
disappear in sight 

Like gum that’s 
lost its flavor 
and soda absent 
of its fizz
and a flower 
that’s gone dry
I’m missing something 
the loss of
which makes me 
mean anything else 

If I could 
be anything I’d
wish to be 
seen as me
and not as
everyone else sees
me to be 
I’m tired of 
being everyone else’s 
big grand disappointment 
simply by trying 
to be me
imagine being me
there now you 
have the picture 
of me being 
little old me 

Once found 
frequently finished 
twice removed 
finally released 
what am
I asked 
the riddle 
am I 
a stain
a cousin 
or stranger 
no you 
are love 
in the 
hands of 
a lover
who doesn’t 
understand how 

I spy a leaf
hovering high above my
head like my expectation
of something more between 
us sit and gaze
I do dreamily wondering 
when you will fall 
landing upon my shoulder 
but fall you don’t 
but rather stay there 
my disappointment in you 
as my leaf has 
all to do with 
my dream of you 
becoming something you’re not 
than it ever has 
about me letting you 
be the little leaf
that you beautifully are