Lesser

Did we let ourselves
Fall into old patterns
That seemed alien to us
Once
Once, very long ago?

Did you stop to think
Before you leaped into the wilderness
That disillusionment
Guaranteed?
Or did you tilt that teacup
A little more to yourself
Than a younger self's
Younger mother
Would consider
Appropriate? 

Did you even wait
Until time could soften
That firm resolve
Like a chicken
Marinated in its own fluids
Or did you choose to offer
Your legs, thighs, breast
To make an identity of
Yourself?

Did you want an expected 
Penny under your pillow
Or maybe ten
But had no teeth to give
So you gave up your soul
In exchange?

Were you more
Were you lesser
Were you half a pint
Fitting into a thimble
Test tube baby of
Generation This.

Were you more
Were you lesser
Were you made-in-China
With a sticker to make you
Authentic?

Were you more
Were you lesser
In the past tense
Secretly making big plans
For a future self?

You were nothing,
Insignificant,
Nothing, then.
But at least you were
Firecracker
Maybe you were defective,
But now you're 
Lesser
And you can't live again.