Who Am I?

I was born an innocent child.

An unpainted canvas, full of possibilities.

A whole person.

Complete and unabashed.

Eventually, I grew up.

I got a job and compromised for it.

I met a girl and compromised for her.

I bought a house with neighbors and compromised for them.

I had children and compromised for them.

People didn't like my beliefs, so I compromised.

Today I went to the store.

I compromised when they cut me off, pushed me, shoved me & talked about me.

I compromised when I didn't get what I had asked for.

When I got home, I looked in the mirror.

There was no one looking back at me anymore.

There was nothing wrong with the paint on the canvas.

The problem was that I had never let it fully dry ...

Reviews

[DeerInHeadlights]

and this will smack you right in the gut because it is the truth. we are born to BE- not to merely drift in and out of each day putting ourselves aside- and in this I would rather make mistakes along the way rather than live in mediocrity with a trail of what ifs behind me.

[Pete]

I'd rather be hated for who I am than liked for who I'm not.

[DeerInHeadlights]

I hate what "life" reduces us down to. it is sad.

[Pete]

What you just wrote is a poem in and of itself. I agree.

[Georgina Cross]

This is such a beautiful piece of work, with the idea of a child being a bland canvas having to learn who they are before changing to suit the needs of others.
It is very well written and holds a nice rhythm.
Nice work!
Regards,
Georgia n

[Pete]

Sometimes it's not so easy to be ourselves. People often want us to be something else. Wrote this when I was feeling as such. Thanks.

[Blysful]

Compromise is important in life - often there will come a time where compromise is inescapable. Important it may be, but it should never come at so high a cost! If you do not stay true to yourself, then you are not compromising - you are giving in.
This piece displays that defeated air so eloquently! This was very profound, and the finale was so somber and longing that I read it multiple times just to revel in the feeling.
Please keep writing!

[Pete]

Thank you for the encouragement. I enjoy your writing as well. Your reviews show that you totally immerse yourself and fully comprehend what is being conveyed.

[kyam]

Oh my gosh this is riveting. So sup explanatory. Hopefully you will write much more. I enjoyed this immensely......Kyam

[Pete]

Thank you kindly. Glad you enjoyed it. Stay strong miracle girl.

[C. M. Miller]

S**t! I could have, should have written this poem myself! Spot on, poet!

[Pete]

Thanks. Guess it's part of the human condition.

[Kirsty Woodward]

Great piece. Extremely thought provoking. People should be able to be unapolagetically themselves, always & live for themselves, always.

[Pete]

Appreciated.

[Seerose]

Very good. People should think about themselves more often in this way. Great idea.

[Pete]

vielen Dank

[A.marie.speaks]

Such powerful thoughts here. The ending really makes the entire piece ! Great work

[Pete]

Glad you liked it. You are kind & it is appreciated. Thank you.

[Daphnee]

Dang dude. This is so deep but true!! So sad but understanding. well done!!! You are amazing!!! :)

[Pete]

Thanks for the review. I appreciate you taking the time to read it.