way of hoping

anxious to have hope

but knowing how little my concept

of me

stacks up against what matters

to what is

perhaps i might try to see me as part

of the whole rather than

particle

mutual admiration

The old story of the boy

teased about his many freckles

grandma hugged him, saying

“Do you know what I like best? Freckles!”

Grinning widely, he answered

“Do you know what I like best?

Wrinkles.”