I don’t know if it’s a society thing…
or what
but this standard that directs us to follow a specified path
you meet…you marry…pop out a few kids
never forgetting the coveted white picket fence
I have a question…
what if that pattern…
isn’t really one size fits all…
I think of all the miserable marriages haphazardly holding it together
barb-wire bonds and razor-blade tongues
pretty smiling face facades
hiding truth’s bloodied walls
…due exclusively to expectations
how much better would it be
to simply let the individual
determine their own best interests…?
maybe love isn’t about others…
…but learning your best self
…doing what actually fits you best
so you don’t inadvertently savage someone else
if it fits and feels natural…
that’s fabulous
but if it doesn’t…
maybe step away from pretense
don’t follow the dots predetermined
landing at somebody else’s idea of perfect
find your own destination
doesn’t that sound better
than trying to walk someone else’s road?
instead…finding your own
avoiding the hypocrisy
all the screaming and scheming
cheating behind the scenes
pretending it’s all good
when it clearly isn’t
we’re not all meant to be spouses
…or parents
as evidenced by child abuse
and domestic violence statistics
(maybe she never desired to be a mother
or he had no interest in being a husband
…it was the kids who bore the brunt of their resentment)
I’m at a point in life where I know what I want
and recognize it may not match my needs
but the decisions guiding my actions
…are entirely up to me
and I’m anything but traditional at my soul’s base
I won’t accept any pre-assigned gate
as the only final destination
if both parties aren’t equally invested
…on the same page
it’s simply time wasted
I know I’ve got a long ways to grow
but I believe I’m worth the investment…
how beautiful it could be…
to cheer each other on as we go
celebrate each other’s personal victories
overcoming another obstacle…
on our own individual journeys
because nobody on this planet is ever perfect
and it took me a long damn time to learn it
…the full value of my personal existence
doesn’t require anyone else’s physical presence
and if love is all we need…
…what’s so wrong with just learning
…to love me?
Chère W.,
and if love is all we need…
…what’s so wrong with just learning
…to love me?
you ask…
Nothing, i would answer.
And by the sound of it, you more than half way there…
Or do I take it too seriously?
Write the question nd the answer will answer itself.
Whatever the form or function, I love it a whole lot!
Warm regards, Gus
I get all up in my head sometimes and it results in writes like this one. But it’s how I work things out for myself. I’m a very unconventional person and my needs are just as unconventional. But I tried to walk the scripted dotted line until I hated it and myself. So…now I walk where it feels natural and I learn to love me. Thank you, Gus
Preach on. Some great philosophical passages here. A wonderful poem that challenges the reader to think. Nice work Willow.
There’s a whole lotta experience wrapped in these lines. Hard learned experience. But worth the growth, for sure. Thank you
Love this!
I whole heartedly agree with every single word!
We are worth the investment especially when we invest in ourselves.
That does not make us selfish.
It makes us self aware of what we want and to be brave enough to go after it!
Awesome write Willow:)
The problem is (as I see it) society places so much expectation on us as individuals to beco.e part of a prescribed herd. And the vast majority either never think to step out of line or are too afraid. So we have all these desperately unhappy people wandering around the world, trying to find joy when what they really need to find is themselves. So much harder to break out of the mold than one might think, but so much better. Thank you, Adelphina
Powerfully penned, Willow. Another excellent write served up with wisdom and insight my friend. Nicely done as always. Appreciate you.
Damian
I go wherever my rambling mind directs the pen. I’ve been much in my head of late. Thank you, my friend
How that last line lands amongst all that fire. I love it.
I keep reading that we can’t ever really love someone else unless we can love ourselves. Which might explain why there’s so much anxiety, depression and abuse in the world. All trying to love others but don’t love ourselves. It’s a thought anyway. Thank you, Brandon