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1986
I have been my own worst
enemy in life but also
the soul
who saved me.
I have not looked at myself
enough to know,
or care,
what I truly look like.
I am beginning
to look inwardly and so
I see
my eyes for the first time.
I see myself through
the eyes of the pets
I love
and who have loved me.
My pet peeves are these:
dogmatism, jingoism,
racism,
fundamentalism, consumerism.
I love trees, the ocean,
all animals, quite
a few
people, literature, music, silence.
I value authenticity, simplicity,
honesty, dexterity,
equality,
jocundity, virtuosity, equanimity.
I am grateful for sunny
days, rainy nights,
one tiny bud,
a field of flowers, and love.
Love and beauty
always wanted to guide me--
I did not
pay enough attention when young.
Love and beauty
call to me still and now
I listen
to them more and more and more.
Written for MeetingTheBar—Self Portraits, at dVerse Poets Pub, hosted this week by Brian Miller. Brian challenged us to "write a self portrait poem. It can be symbolic, metaphorical, descriptive—you get to choose what you show and what you veil." Not an easy prompt!
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19 comments:
we are not that much different...i def value many of the same things...and at times have been my own worst enemy...and i listen more and more as well....smiles...nice response lydia
and happy weekend to you
It is reflecting on one's own strengths now we are somewhat wiser with years. That is fair! Nicely Lydia!
Hank
Very well expressed, Lydia. I too feel very much the same.
it's good to listen more and more... we tend to forget ourselves in the daily hustle and bustle of life.. i too love silence.. we don't have enough of it in our loud world..
A beautiful, yearning poem by a wonderfully self-reflective woman.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
http://bears-noting.blogspot.com
Growing is all about opening up to the world around us, to see more, to hear fully, to engage with all our senses and the weight of our history. Love how you dissected and exposed.
Lydia-
this is magnificent- one of your best- so true to yourself.
Great reflections on the self.. I sometimes wonder if it is more tough to look at yourself from the eyes of those who know you, or through your own, but unbiased eyes. So often, we just let ourselves be what others think of us..
Aw Lydia....A plus
Meet me for coffee sometime, will you? :-)
Love
kj
This is simply beautiful, smiles.
I have been my own worst
enemy in life but also
the soul
who saved me.
That's a great beginning. Totally enjoyed your poem.
I love this. It could all describe me very well, too.
"I have been my own worst
enemy in life but also
the soul
who saved me."
i loved this line the best. Perhaps because I can appreciate its content. The strength we have in spite of ourselves.
i love this!! I can relate to quite a bit of it as well.
Your words speak to the heart -- barbara -- FOLKWAYS NOTEBOOK.
An insightful self-portrait for someone who has not looked at herself enough to know what she truly looks like.
I love the "isms" stanza.
This is a jewel. Thank you, Lydia.
How wonderful this poem is!
I absolutely love reading your blog, just like old times :)
I miss you Aunt!
Riyadh, dear~ Thank you for this lovely comment...that reminds me I am way overdue a visit to your special blog! I miss you too and will try to be in closer touch. :)
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