I offer Rage a chair
invite a conversation
She rants about childhood
and neglect, powerlessness
in the face of abuse
And I nod and remember,
suggest she’s also feeling grief
And she talks about crying
alone, no one caring, and how
I don’t let her cry anymore
I put up walls, I agree,
and ask how I can help
Stop leaving me out, she says
touting her values, and learn
to be more assertive
She says she feels abandoned
to which I reply that feelings
and reality are not the same
The conversation tires me
we’ve been around and around
the subject before…
And then I realize, I do need her
and venture to ask for forgiveness
I’ve screwed so many things up
Admitting you’re not perfect,
she smiles, definitely helps
besides…together we make ‘me’.
(Written for VJ’s Weekly Challenge: the other side. Image my own.)
I do know that round and round part, and the experience is yours but it sure resonates strongly for me, a powerful reflection of the inner tussle.
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Thanks Paul. I guess life would be boring if we only moved in a straight line.
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Perish the thought of straight lines I say ๐
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I love this so much, V.J. I just re-watched “Inside Out” and your poem reminded me of the family of people that make up a person.
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Definitely! Thanks.
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Wonderful, from every aspect ๐
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Thank you!
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“together we make ‘me’!”…acceptance of ourselves in totality…never easy but so important. Love this.v
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Thanks so much!
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Most welcome.
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I get the battle in this.. adult and child can have a terrible tussle at times.. relatable ๐
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Yes, indeed. Thanks.
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Your dialog between the two selves is very well done and a good way to achieve integration, or at least acceptance.
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Thanks Liz. We seem to deceive ourselves above others.
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That’s for sure.
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Anger is not pleasant. I know how it feels to be angry because weโve been hurt. Time heals all wounds.
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Thanks Maryann. Seems we women are taught not to be angry, but it’s just a part of life.
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“I don’t let her cry anymore” I can really relate to this. I tend to push away the sad feelings even though I know that it is cathartic to let the sad happen.
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Can’t remember the last time I had a good cry, even though I believe it’s therapeutic. Thanks Betty!
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Excellent in every way and a delight to read!
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Thank you, Lynne!
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Love this write! Your expression of the two sides of oneself having a dialogue is so relatable. I like how you come around to the whole “me”, acceptance of oneself…ending has me nodding, yes!
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Thanks so much, Heather. Appreciate your comment.
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My pleasure.
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Wonderful portrait, VJ … pretty universal, I’d guess. I can certainly relate!
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Thanks Jazz. I’m sure it is.
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Feelings and reality are not the same… ๐งจ
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Always good to keep in mind.
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I’m not so good at distinguishing the two, although I’ve gotten better at it over the years.
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Your rage and you having a conversation. This is super awesome.
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Thank you.
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Welcome ๐
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A very interesting piece – one that has given me much food for thought. Janet ๐
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Thanks Janet.
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