Stuff. Things. Some are diamonds,
others lumps of coal. All are stuff. Things.
Status symbols. Something people want
because maybe others will respect, admire
the one who has it.
Inferior quality. Shoddy. Low-grade. Tawdry.
Deficient. Without value. Cheap. Paltry. Pathetic.
And embarrassment. Subject to contempt.
Second-hand. Used. Tried and true.
There is nothing new and improved.
We are not what we have. Trendsetting clothes
no more define us than shabby threadbare ones.
Grandmom received a large silver platter,
an appreciation gift. She promptly declared pickles here,
chow chow there, rhubarb over there.
A peanut in a silk purse is a peanut.
A diamond in a Band-Aid box is a diamond.
People have value, concepts are worth defending,
ideas matter. But when we see the wrappings
and miss the core, we can be fooled and bereft.
Become who you want to be then wrap yourself as you choose
but remember what matters.