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You took my place in smaller ways The words I’d use, the face I’d make A steadier version sent ahead To keep my place when I was thin Held my outline in the air My angle, cadence, likely turn Enough of me to pass me on Enough restraint to sound like choice I did not ask to disappear I only asked to travel light To speak in rooms I could not keep To stay in reach beyond my reach You go as me, but not quite me You keep the shape, refine the seams You say the words I would have used If I were clearer, less in need And every time you stand for me You make it harder not to see The version of myself the world receives May work better than me It started as a borrowed hand A little lift, a little ease The usual burden split in two The outer weather taken off You do not tire where I would fade You do not fray at every edge You keep the posture under load You keep the signal through the noise I did not mean to hand you this I only wanted less to hold But something in the act of use Made use of me in turn You go as me, but not quite me You keep the shape, refine the seams You say the words I would have used If I were cleaner, more complete And every time you stand for me You make it harder not to see The version of myself the world receives May work better than me If you can bear my name outside And wear it lightly in the world What part of me is left intact That is not measured by return What do I keep that is still mine If what I send comes back improved At what point does the better mask Become the face I answer to You go as me, but not quite me You keep the line, improve the speed You take the weight of staying seen And make a function out of me And every time you stand for me You make it harder not to see The version of myself the world receives May outlive me as me Go on ahead I’ll follow when I can