I Am

I am not one of ten billion—I— sunblackened Icarus, chary fly, staring at God with a quizzical eye. I am not one of ten billion, I. I am not one life has left unsquashed— scarred as Ulysses, goddess-debauched, pale glowworm agleam with a tale of panache. I am not one life has left unsquashed. I am not one without spots of disease, laugh lines and tan lines and thick-callused knees from begging and praying and girls sighing "Please! " I am not one without spots of disease. I am not one of ten billion—I— scion of Daedalus, blackwinged fly staring at God with a sedulous eye. I am not one of ten billion, I AM!