Thumbprint
By: Eve Merriam
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On the pad of my thumb
are whorls, whirls, wheels,
in a unique design:
mine alone.
What a treasure to own!
My own flesh, my own feelings.
No other, however grand or base,
can ever contain the same.
My signature,
thumbing the pages of my time.
My universe key,
my singularity.
Impress, implant,
I am myself,
all of my atom parts I am the sum.
And out of my blood and my brain
I make my interior weather,
my own sun and rain.
Imprint my mark upon the world,
whatever I shall become.
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What happens to a dream deferred?
......Does it dry up 4
......like a raisin in the sun?
......Or fester like a sore–
......And then run?
......Does it stink like rotten meat?
......Or crust and sugar over–
......like a syrupy sweet?
......Maybe it just sags
......like a heavy load.
......Or does it explode?.
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