Free To Be Poem by William Kofoed

I write the words
that people read
they love what I say
but do not love me

they see my picture
and they see my hair
they don't see a suit
and they don't see a tie

they want to show
a picture of me
but don't like how I look
and want me to change

do something with the hair
and shave the face
get a suit coat
and wear a tie

go stand in front
of something we know
then take a picture
so nice to see

I shake my head no
and tell them no way
who they want to see
just isn't me

I walk away
I don't look back
just walk away
away from them

I am myself
I am who I am
I will stay just
the same as I am

they love my words
they just don't love me
I really don't care
I don't write for them