you are more than the parts of your sum
more than all the cells that make up this body of yours
because you keep them together
with your quick wit
and your ability to make someone laugh who feels like crying
and your persistence to always see the good in others
you are more than what you allow yourself to think
out of fear of boastfulness,
or judgment
with your deep-set eyes and your inevitable always-smile
you are more than they ever told you you were
because it made them feel better to keep you dependent on their approval
with your caring hand and your loving heart
you are your own beautiful completeness,
a perfect sum of all the lovely and unlovely parts,
which you deserve to be loved for
if not by anyone else,
then surely by you