“The thought of everything society expects from the ‘American Dream’ hit me. There are all these expectations that our generation almost can’t meet — or that we don’t want to meet because we see that there could be a better way to live, a different way. So I examined life from the perspective of ‘the little things.’ ” — Jackie Duden
"I Am" by Jaclyn Duden I am the question left in the bleachers after all the right plays took us nowhere. I am drifting somewhere in between "I'm proud of you." and "buy a house." and marrying in a straight line and fitting all the pieces together into a vividly deceiving perfection that I somehow only build with windows. I am the flakes falling onto your lap as you bite into a croissant. I am the pattern on the curtains you bought to add just a touch of flare. I am the statue held still by gravity and concrete known for the strange occurrences of spirit. I am the one piece of the puzzle you can't find no matter how much furniture you look under.
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