I AmA Poem by Michelle Coleman
I Am
I am a fierce advocate for life. A lion whose padded feet feel the pull of distant lands and adventures yet unknown; Whose heart swells with awe and appreciation over small acts of thoughtless kindness and beauty; Whose rumbling roar is filled with an ache, a longing to break free of the tireless monotony. I wonder at the potential of a gutted school bus with its skeletal walls begging to become the interior canvas of my future home on wheels. I wonder which roads will call to me first and who will have the courage to leave their comfortable lives long enough to experience the soul-quenching thirst of spontaneous exploration. I hear the gusty wind brush against the panels outside as it flies through the canyons and buttes along the sun kissed desert floor. I hear the rain pound its staccato rhythm upon the metal surface above our heads while we dance wildly to its fervent beat. I see forests so dense that their trees disappear into blackness and bridges so massive they seem to climb right up into the sky. I see twisted, gnarled trees heavy with Spanish moss standing guard over a placid river. I want to be free of the "American Scream Dream." To decide for myself what is a fulfilling, joyous life. I want to surround myself with an unorthodox family who thrives on breaking the mold. I am a fierce advocate for life. I pretend to believe that this safe predictable routine is enough for me. That my collection of pretty things, my memory foam bed and my bike that takes me through these interest-free streets will somehow make up for the fact that I am not living my dream. I feel contemptuous of those who would steal the gypsy in me. To tie her up in chains and toss her into an old forgotten cell. I feel angry at myself for allowing them to succeed to some degree. I feel trapped and ungrounded in this unchanging world. I touch the once polished walls of my now dusty, flaking chamber. My fingers trace the messages of elders and peers scratched into the surface dictating who I should and should not be. I worry that their lies have taken root in me. I cry when I see loved ones embrace after too much time apart and when animals are given a second loving chance. I weep at the thought of being so direly missed. For someone to hold their hand out to me. I am a fierce advocate for life. I understand how much courage it takes to recognize the suffocating nature of living up to the status quo. And I understand how much is sacrificed for the benefit of devoting oneself to the righteousness of old fashioned American success; how very difficult that first step away from normalcy can be. I say "Follow your bliss" wherever it may lead. And if we happen to be headed in the same direction for awhile, I will offer you a bed and a place to sit and eat in my cozy palace on wheels. Stay for as long or as little as you like. You will always find a friend in me. And when we part ways, let us rejoice for the time spent together in the hope that our paths may one day converge once again. For I dream of roads both paved and gravel beckoning with beams of light. Steering me off course to lead me toward places that will help feed and heal my battered soul. To introduce me to those who will invite me into a world of endless possibilities and creativity. I do my best to place my intentions in the world so that my dreams may manifest. When obstacles leap out in front of me, I either tear them down or build a bridge. I work hard at recruiting appropriate companions for the journeys ahead. And when at first I fail, I try again. I hope one day to look back without regrets, knowing that I have allowed my soul to sing its tale of love and woe. I hope that you will remember and cherish our shared adventures captured and released. I am a fierce advocate for life. A lion whose padded feet feel the pull of distant lands and adventures yet unknown; Whose heart swells with awe and appreciation over small acts of thoughtless kindness and beauty; Whose rumbling roar is filled with an ache, a longing to break free of the tireless monotony. © 2015 Michelle ColemanFeatured Review
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Added on February 18, 2015Last Updated on February 18, 2015 Author
Michelle ColemanIDAboutStories have always been a part of my life, whether I have been reading, writing, day dreaming, or experiencing them. When I was in fourth grade, my teacher told me that I would be a writer one day af.. more..Writing
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