would this make me perfect in your eyes
conforming to your image of a box?
though I’m more round than square
I admit for years I tried
I go about altering the way I am
once I’ve changed
there will be a wizard
who wants me to change back again
intelligence isn’t in season
creativity so blase
inarticulate all the rage
through I cannot see the reason
alas I must accept who is me
look you square in the eye
is it the rise of dawn that you see
or just empty shackles???
Today the prompt at Poets United is Acceptance – do you accept yourself as the wonderful person you are???
Love this! Working on that whole acceptance thing more all the time. 🙂
LikeLike
Really enjoyed your poem on the theme of acceptance…very nicely done indeed.
LikeLike
Wow! There is a lot to consider there. I think I have known one or two of them there “wizards”…nasty lot.
LikeLike
Leslie I agree with you. 🙂
LikeLike
Such a powerful ending Leslie ❤
One should learn to accept others just the way they are 🙂
Beautifully executed 🙂
Lots of love,
Sanaa
LikeLike
yes and we need to accept us as well. Thanks Sunny One xoxo
LikeLike
Though I commented on the poem you shared last week at Midweek Motif and also the poem you shared in Poetry Pantry, you did not return visits to me. I (and others) appreciate visits as much as you do. Hope this week I will see that you are making the rounds.
LikeLike
I am sooo sorry we have had several family “crises” in the last several weeks so am trying to hold things together.
LikeLike
I am sorry about your crises, Leslie.
LikeLike
I loved the last two lines “is it the rise of dawn that you see
or just the empty shackles???” We should accept ourselves and never try to change for the sake of others.
LikeLike
Oh wowza, this is good. I was thinking of doing the prompt, but it looks like there’s an obligation involved to “make the rounds”….
LikeLike
I think that ultimately we have to be who we are. If we go around changing ourselves to fit what everyone needs we live a life definitely in the shackles of others expectations. The greatest freedom we can give anyone, and even ourselves, it to be ourselves.
LikeLike
I agree 110%
LikeLike
Looking at you, kiddo, it’s the rise of dawn, for sure!!!!!!!
LikeLike
Oh yes,I can relate to this! My own journey of attempting self acceptance began by borrowing the eyes of others to look at me, until I started to turn things around and began looking at myself from the inside instead… Great lines!
LikeLike
yes it helps doesnt it – a part of life’s journey
LikeLike
‘is it the rise of dawn that you see or just empty shackles’, loved these lines!! When we try to conform to one, there’s always another around the bend. Best to be ourselves and let the conformists deal with it!! Great writing 🙂
LikeLike
I so agree and it fees great to be shackle free…
LikeLike
How important it is to take “the path less travelled” and to be ourselves for we should never live our lives pretending to be what we are not.
LikeLike
it’s better to accept as we are…we have choices to uplift ourselves in many ways…nicely thought provoking poem Leslie…
LikeLike
I think to lead a happy and healthy life one would be advised to be the best person they can be.
Everyone needs work. There is far too much narcissism encouraged in our society . Oh and incidentally …thankfully I and others have never been so narcissistic and arrogant to expect a comment from anyone simply because I or we have given one. My ego does not need that kind of bolstering.
Hope things improve in your personal life. It is often in times of crisis that one needs to write poetry and receive a few words of encouragement rather than admonishments from misery merchants.. Take care !
LikeLike
The valuable qualities of individualism are certainly not celebrated enough in this world – but stay round and true – the people that matter appreciate that!
LikeLike
It is hard to stop being amenable to others wishes. Great poem.
LikeLike
You make me think of the song, “Only You.” And it is, only you, you alone….the best you will ever be! Thank you for being you!
LikeLike
How silly to think we can be a better “you.”
LikeLike
Each person can only be who they are…square or round, we can’t try to fit into another person’s ideal of who we will be. Continue to embrace just who YOU are & celebrate that!
LikeLike
Love your poem. I find with aging, self-acceptance occurs more easily, naturally, wisely. I no longer strive to live up to another’s vision of me.
LikeLike
Beautiful! Accepting others in the way they are, without any pretension, is a great thing…
LikeLike
Moonie,
An excellent poem, which should give encouragement, to those who continually doubt their individual value and worth..Their esteem must be accepted and honestly regarded…
Eileen
LikeLike
Being connected to the acceptance feel is a great response. Well penned Moonie!
Hank
LikeLike
__As we condemn our failures and ourselves on a daily basis , all we need to do is -look around-! _m
LikeLike
Yes, trying to conform to be accepted by others is a dangerous game.
LikeLike