On Being Yourself: A Poem About the Finest Apple by Iris Barrow

"You must learn 

that you cannot be loved 

by all people.

You can be the finest apple in the world-- 

ripe, juicy sweet, succulent,

and offer yourself to all. 

But you must remember that there 

will always be people who 

don't like apples.

You must understand that if you are 

the world's finest apple

and someone you love 

doesn't like apples, 

you have the choice of 

becoming a banana.

But you must be warned 

that if you choose 

to become a banana,

you will be a second-rate banana.

But you can always be the finest apple!

You must realise that if you become

a second-rate banana,

there will always be people who 

don't like bananas.

Furthermore, you can spend your life 

trying to become the best banana--- 

which is impossible, if you are an apple.

Or, you can try again to be THE FINEST APPLE."

Photo by Garreth Paul on Unsplash