The ugly duckling wanted to fit in –
he tried and failed belonging to the nest.
The solitary black sheep hates his skin
and wool, because it’s different from the rest.
But after several seasons’ unsuccess,
some nonconforming creatures try no more.
Attempted change produces too much stress,
and acting like they’re other is a bore.

That’s when they try embracing who they are,
accepting self without apology.
In quiet or aloud they start to star
in their own twist of goal or destiny.
“They do it to be different,” you assert,
but that just shows you don’t know gems from dirt.