all we want

we want and wish

then we hope and dream

at first we hold our own hands

kiss our own reflections

run our fingers across our lips

hold ourselves closer than almost anyone might

then we put on clothes that say more than we could ever say

are seen in circumstances

of our own design

and still

we aren't recognized

for who we are

because we haven't given ourselves the opportunity

to recognize ourselves

it's the letting go

the leaving behind

the willingness to drop all pretense

that opens the door

to the fullness of our presence

to ourselves

and to each other