Titles

I was born on a not too cold December afternoon
and have ever since been a Daughter.
Bleary-eyed and nervous I entered play-grounds and social events,
and have since then, in different degrees, been a Member.
I picked up books and sought out knowledged in the workings of the world,
and earned my (hopefully permanent) title as Student.
As my body and mind both grew, I encountered others
and to some became a Friend.
To those few who reached beyond and grabbed pieces of my heart,
I have even been called Lover.
Through quarrels and disputes, with and without my own consent,
I became an Enemy.

Through these times of social endeavours, my status has sometimes changed
- former, past, present; shining, shadowed, forgotten, treasured.

Encouraged and deflated by encounters I have walked through life so far
and acquired an array of adjectives to my name;
some seem to stay, permanent job descriptions - elected for life
- and some seem to be edited by a hand not my own.

So you tell me now, please, describe who I am
and I hope you understand;
it appears to not only be in my power to explain.