I used to think I was a single self and never questioned this, felt sure,
And I would deal with situations each as towards them me would lure.
Some I'd handle seeming well, but others never quite as good,
Unaware of any difference, if as well to each respond I should.

But in time I realised when approaching such, there are different selves which will appear.
With specific honed experience, to more appropriate me steer.
So for work, my hobbies or leisure, I found I'd don a different hat,
And behave with a modified outlook as about each I would chat.

This proved to be the same with all whom at work or elsewhere met,
As I would adopt a new persona, and very different output get.
As if reconfiguring my character to suit the expectation,
Finding I adjusted with each colleague, friend, relation.

And when I was alone, I’d be yet a different self again,
Then gone the changing need to myself outward explain.
It was now I was my real self; the self no one ever sees,
The one with which I, me, myself are ever true at ease.

And for subjects I found interesting, I'd tend to pay much more attention,
While others, about which I little cared, was selective with retention.
But my mind seemed to understand there was a difference between the two,
And knew when information was received to what, where, how it should accrue.

I've come now to acknowledge this is fact not imagination,
And expect myself to adjust to each encountered situation.
For it seems experience is gathered to satisfy our requirement for each,
Exposure to new knowledge does individual to each teach.

Knowing this helps where seeming expert in one subject, but not in all,
The sense of remembering little of some, yet for others a full recall.
Which assures me that my many selves regulate this behaviour as required,
And that wisdom is assigned correct as and when it's being acquired.