Forty-Two Poem by Maura Herboldsheimer

I always am and never was
I'm solid and discreet
The ghost of things you've never seen
But earth has touched my feet.

I sing, I'm still as I observe
I was and never been
I am the heart that's on your sleeve
The secrets 'neath your skin.

I've never been and always tried
Tried to procrastinate
I never breathed but never died
A non-existing state.

I swim to make myself unclean
I can't be you or me
Why must I pay for everything?
Humanity is free.