You can make me think all you want
but it’s not going to go anywhere.
You will not
try as you might
make me into a better person.
I will be this thing
this creature before you
for many years to come
and you may think
that you can convince me
coerce me
into becoming something else
something healthier
wiser
better
but I think
after years of experience
within my own mottled skin
that I know how this will turn out.

I’ll give you a hint:
it won’t go well.
I will not improve
or transform
into some golden swan
after all this time
as a squawking duckling.
I will remain
the beast you first met:
the one you decided to talk to.

I will not change
into what you say you want
because I have seen
all too often
that what you believe is for you
is not always so.