Shooting Star

The first poem I wrote in college. 

“Shooting Star” 9-9-99

You want to go where no one knows you, so you can be anyone, someone amazing.
To reinvent yourself as though you’d never lived, never loved, and never lied.
-But someone once told you, “You can’t hide who you are, no matter how hard you try.”

Soon you’ll pack your bags and move away, to another time in some other place.
When you get there, you’ll soon discover that the person you wanted to be already exists.
-Because someone once told you, “You can’t hide who you are, no matter how hard you try.”

You push people away because you’re afraid, and grasp with both hands what they take away.
Fearing life, death, love, change, friendship, sex, and loneliness most of all.
-But someone once told you, “You can’t hide who you are, no matter how hard you try.”

Someday you’ll see a shooting star, read the perfect book, or meet the most fascinating person.
And when you least expect it, the people you hate will teach you about acceptance.
-Because someone once told you, “You can’t hide who you are, no matter how hard you try.”

Your memories will change and fade as life passes, and only the simple things will remain.
By that time you’ll know who you were and cherish who you became.
-Maybe you’ll see another shooting star, and remember reading, “You can’t hide who you are, no matter how hard you try.”