I work in marketing

I look at spreadsheets and dashboards 

It's fun -- but you know I was born 

to look at earthworms wriggling in the mud, 

and marvel at giant sunflowers springing from seeds. 

I speak a language which requires me 

to sometimes say words like investment and equity 

They don't roll easily off my tongue. 

You know I was born to say words like 

rainwashed and sunsoaked and barefooted abandon. 

I create to-do lists and set reminders 

to structure my life 

and deliver whatever I'm supposed to. 

But you know I was born to create stories 

and compose songs and draw pictures and get paint on my pajamas. 

I meet people and say, "Hi nice to meet you," 

I stay polite and draw boundaries 

and behave the way I'm expected to. 

But you know I was born to have deep, unshakeable connections 

and to love wildly, with a ferocity that always surprises me.  

In my daily life, I keep my guard up and tell myself 

to be careful, because self-preservation is an acquired skill. 

I am cautious and reserved until I'm nudged to let go.  

But that's when it all feels right -- 

because you know I was born 

to give all of me away.