I am only ivory paper

And the soft sound of an autumn breeze

I wonder what lies beyond

This sea of uncertainty, and

The world's beauty - which is cluttered with ugliness

I hear the faint rapping

Of a timid hand on the door

Unknowing of what is on the other side

And I see wrinkled lines of insecurity

Constrict the contours of face

I want an answer -

Why? Why am I here?

For I am only ivory paper

But I pretend I am a hand

Rested fixedly on the shoulder of fate

Yet I feel the insistent reminder

Of my meager existence tapping on my spine

I touch my skull - rack my brain

For the realities hidden from my naive soul

I worry I am not worthy

Of the natural pleasure of acceptance

And I cry for the disappointment

I am contempt to believe I evoke

Though, I am only ivory paper

I understand my inevitable insignificance

In a universe filled with billions of other inadequacies

However, I say we are entitled

To the time granted to us, here on Earth

I dream of arms encircling

Embodying me with kindness

"It is okay to be who you are"

I try to envision this possibility -

Ignoring the color and simply loving the touch

I hope to encase the wonders

Of the naked honesty in people's hearts

As I am designed to share the thoughts

Of these hearts for the eternity to follow

And yet,

I am only ivory paper

(c.m.)