I have my mother’s mouth
And her creative ways
I have her nurturing instinct
And her love of music
I have my father’s legs
And I have his eyes
I have his way with people
And his love of good humour
I have my mother’s sins
Her vanity and pride
I have her nervous laugh
And her lack of self-control
I have my father’s bullhead
His lack of faith in his own abilities
I have his crushing shyness
And his damned dodgy knees
I have my granddad’s temper
Though I never met him
Although I never met him
I feel his anger in me
I have my grandma’s wit
My uncle’s forehead
My balding brother’s hair
My sister’s commonsense
All this makes me wonder
What part of me is me
What of my constantly-ringing ears?
Can I give them back?