On the Contrary
My latest offering. Inspiration is everywhere. I found mine through chattering teeth on a snowy Saturday morn in a Jujitsu gym hall.
It’s cold and I shudder
I’m warm and I’m still
It’s dark in the light
I advance and retreat
I’m black and I’m white
There’s grey in between
I’m contrary and don’t care
But maybe I do
I’m brave but I’m frightened
I’m strong but I’m weak
I’m alive yet feel dead
My conflict is real
My heart rules my head
My head rules my heart
I love and I hate
I care and care not
I do and I don’t
I try and give up
I feel and I’m numb
I want the unwanted
I’m high and I’m low
I’m open and shut
I am but am not
Change unchanged
I feel the unfeeling
I know but I don’t
I can and can’t choose
Choose for me
It’s really useful to work to a theme and submission calls will likely require you write to spec. It helps gives focus and sparks inspiration.
This latest poem on the theme ‘Identity’ was a submission call for the Scottish Writers Centre. I’ll be reading it at the Aye Write Book Festival in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow soon.
Here I Am
It took a while but here I am
Once dark but now I see
There’s nothing wrong with who I am
I’m good at being me
It takes some time to see the truth
To look beyond the trees
To pick yourself back up
When life brought you to your knees
Thick skin grows thicker by the day
We’re numb then come to life
Peel back every layer
Words that cut you like a knife
Never, ever doubt yourself
When others will do it for free
Keep on keeping on my love
It’s the only way to be
We laugh, we cry, we conquer
We break and fall apart
It doesn’t matter in the end
The end is just the start
So say it in a whisper
Or shout it big and loud
“There’s nothing wrong with who I am”
Stand tall my love – be proud!