The View

Someone asked me to describe what it's like "in there". Extroverts have such a hard time with us : >)

The view, often guarded, is intriguing

The workings of an Introvert’s mind

On the surface not much seems of interest

But within… such treasures to find

 

The process of thought is elaborate

Consequences planned in detail

The conceptual ability, unending

But emotion can range off the scale

 

The feelings of others considered

Perceptions, the utmost concern

What is said can be somewhat evasive

But absolute honesty indeed can be learned

 

The desire? To share with others

The challenge? With others to share

What to do and how to master

How to get from here to there

 

Are they liked? Quite often they can be

Are they loyal? To their last breath of life

Do they wish they were more outgoing?

Most every day and that brings them such strife.

 

They want only to know they have value

And that others consider them friend

Without these there’s no point in enduring

Loneliness that often seems just won’t end

 

Yet other times solitude is required

To think, to create, to plan

To write, to assess, to imagine

To become everything that they can

 

Are there limits to what they accomplish?

Not really, but they don’t realize

Their worth and the value they’ve added

In the world’s appreciative eyes

Author's Note

I was reading recently that many of the top executives of the most successful Fortune 500 companies are celebrated introverts. Some even hire coaches to help them through important social events etc., but the public would never know. That's one of the fascinating things about introverts, we can learn to be extroverts for short periods of time, and we can usually pull it off pretty successfully.
Introversion isn't really the handicap I once thought it was. It's actually more of an opportunity I think.

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Being a quirky, eccentric bi-polar extrovert; people either assume I know what I'm talking about or think I'm neck deep in the crap business most of the time. Always curious, I explore relationships with the zeal of a pioneer and am constantly rewarded by making new friends (though most confess afterwards that their first impression was more of a diagnosis than a character appraisal) lol I love crowds but spend most of my time alone; strange how many different paths converge in the forest of a human psyche. This seemed introspective and revealing in the self-realization of it. A write of hope and a step towards better understanding, well done.

[Jamie S.]

This piece is so interesting I looked up both verts,lol. I think I can be both depending on my mood. You really got me thinking about it which is what great writing is supposed to do, great write!! Thank you for sharing this insightful piece :)

[TL Boehm]

fitting for the day as I tumble forward on the downside of hope....the writer in me quelled for a moment by lack of readership. As if I should consign myself to pleasantries on Facebook.
Feeling ornery today - this on really spoke to me.

[Emily B]

I came upon this and it was altogether new again. Good words have the ability to come alive again and again. I'm glad you featured this one.

[Collect-Eye]

wow..I agree w/ your sentiment, both in the piece and the author's note..maybe I'm baised [in a good way], being an introvert having to learn to function socially..but I've always had a good sense of humor..dry at times, but it's a major asset.
I'd be interested to see this turned into an essay..cause all the great philosophers pretty much just wrote a series of essays and published them as books..na mean..rear spoilers..ha.

[Jessica Young]

oh, this is lovely.

[Emily B]

oh, wow! Your words resonated deeply. They made me think of several friends. What a blessed write!

[Tonya (the Night Writer..]

Someone trying to take a peek at what's going on inside your head since you rarely let anyone know? : )
I was painfully shy growing up, always lost in a book or inside my own thoughts. Now I'm much more extroverted though I still have my shy times! Especially around people I don't know well. I'm much more open on the computer as many people are. Some friends and relatives have never seen my work, yet I share it with strangers!
This is well written, a deep thought provoking piece into the mind of someone who is a deep thinker, even if it's not always expressed. Thank you for sharing and sorry it took so long to get around to reading it! : )

[J]

Wow. I wonder where "in there" is. Intriguing look inside what must be painful at times. I was quite shy when I was young and remember how it felt to be afraid of just about everyone! This is a wonderful piece, your rhyme works well [not easy to do where it doesn't sound 'clunky' as though reaching for a word] and the cadence is perfect.

Another fine piece. I like your style.

~j

[Star]

Funny how we all create internally, and then never realize the worth it could have to the world if only we can become enough of the extrovert to share it, eh?
I like this piece very much