There are so many versions of me.

People that both exist or might have come to be.

Fragments or aspects locked in different futures.

Timelines that might have been if I grew up under different conditions.

Unburdened by the same shackles or chained in a different location.

Traits that exist but might have had room to grow.

***

There is the artist.

Born with a discerning eye.

Able to put to rough paper whatever inspires or makes the pulse quicken.

That might have had works go on to inspire others as well.

Talent frozen in time instead.

Snuffed out by physical limitations.

***

There is the chocolatier or baker.

Given a talent for creative food making and love for all things sweet.

Dreaming up new techniques to surprise and delight others using food.

May have gone on to live a happy future while sharing in the joy of others.

A dead end dream.

Too impossible to ever come true.

***

The therapist another.

An innate talent for empathy.

A listening ear and the ability to give objective advice.

Could have gone on to help many people and have an illustrious career.

Held back by a speech impediment and the amount of physical writing for the degree.

Too many barriers to ever come true.

***

Many more exist in addition to these.

Enough to fill an entire town of myself.

Every role filled from the basic cleaner to the leader.

All finding joy in the aspect of what they are.

Shards born of nothing more than a wish.

Simply filling a need.

***

Do you see these shards when you look at me?

I doubt it, since they are as invisible as a summer breeze.

I know you have them too and cannot list them.

I do not doubt that you could fill a town as well.

All hidden behind a coy smile and a greeting.

Please tell me about them.