Shape me…
into the girl you thought I was,
dressed in ruffles with bows in my hair.
Tell me…
that love means hearts get broken,
that being bruised is better than nothing at all.
Hear me…
when I tell you my truth,
my truth doesn’t match yours.
See me…
when I wave my hands in your face,
desperate for a gleam of recognition.
Feel me…
when I’m tugging at your sleeve,
hoping for a minute of your time.
Listen to me…
goodbyes are important to get right,
this one seems so hollow.
Look at me…
past your keyhole view,
into the eyes of a complicated being.
Think about me…
questions coming into focus,
the searching will never end.
Accept me…
this is who I am,
standing here reaching, just reaching.
Shape me…
always learning,
always becoming more.
I see an emerging flower waiting to be appreciated. With your colors I believe it won’t be long now.
That made me smile… thank you!
Don’t forget you are a star.
Right… we all must go through a little chaos to find our shining star!
Thank you!
Ahh you will take your own shape with all that being told, hearing, seeing, feeling, listen (to), looking, thinking, accepting going on. Right? Yes, that is what I think.
π
Hugs and happy dances.
Thank you my dear friend… you always say the right thing (did you know that?)
No, I didn’t. I often feel a little “less than” (other people’s comments) and akward in my comments. π But they are from my heart so I click “post comment”.
…. and I’m glad you do. xo
[…] Comments « Shape me… […]
I see that little girl standing there, tugging at that sleeve…
I want to tell her that it’s all true… I see you, I hear you, I love you.
xoxo
Thanks Kelly.
This comment means so much to me.
Well, others do shape us, there’s no doubt about it, especially in our younger years, when the opinions of people who may well turn out to be lifelong nothings are more important than god’s or adults’–but in the end, we are shaping ourselves, always, whether by responding or resisting. (I read both your article about your kids and that evil Vogue witch, and the poem, so consider this a joint reflection.)
Thank you for reading both of these.
I think, hopefully, the message I’m sending myself and my kids is that we all can have control of our lives — make it count.
This made me think about a conversation I was having with someone today- she is always looking for love to try and make her feel happy about herself- and this was the message that came across in this piece (I’m usually a million miles away though!) I really really liked the form- the repetitions- just really hammered home the story you were telling us. Great poem.
Yes! That’s such ( I think) a common theme — to think that love from others will make us happy. Self-love (I’m learning slowly) is the most important. Without that, we’re lost.
I saw my kids, from little through college in those lines, that longing, that need to be seen, heard, understood at a deep heart level, accepted. I saw me, a middle-age mom still longing to be seen, heard, understood heart-deep, accepted. Do we ever outgrow that need? That longing?
I think not… I think we can just learn to push some of those feelings back so that the important things (like self-love) are in the forefront.
Thank you so much for finding me!
I like this so much because I could hear myself in my own way saying many of these things. Implicit in this, the protagonist is asking for attention, for time, for care but she is also asking to be loved. The opposite of love is not hate, it is apathy, and from the title on down, this poem quietly demands time, attention and love. And she deserves every drop of those things. Best always, Mosky
Thank you Mosk!
I have had this poem sitting in my head for a bit… glad I got it on paper.
xoxo
this is who I am,
standing here reaching, just reaching.
For me this poem is so much about these lines–beautiful piece Becky!
Thank you so much Audrey — this means so much to me.
interesting how the tug of action response
Thank you!
this speaks deeply of the longing to be really seen…really known..really loved as who we are…i get this…beautifully penned becky..
Thank you so much Claudia!
Yes.. really loved as who we are. xoxo
This poem tugged at my heart; I feel I never felt the tug of my sons on my sleeve. I never knew they were there, until they let go.
Oh Charles… what a heartfelt comment.
No words…
So very easy to relate to!
“Accept meβ¦
this is who I am,”
Ahhh, if only, if only.
I think it’s possible… I was told (on several occasions by someone I admire greatly) that if you are just yourself, the right people will be drawn to you.
Thank you!
A sad truth for many expressed so beautifully here and with such emotion, Becky!
Thank you Laurie!
Okay, I’ll pay attention. I identified so much with this, expect when I’m writing, then leave me alone. Great write.
Ha!
That’s funny… and true. π
Very nice Becky. I can see myself and my daughter trying to communicate and understand each other ~ We are always learning and shaping each other, every day ~
Yes… absolutely. We are always shaping ourselves and those around us.
Thank you!
this is sad for me…the desire to be shaped…but in a different way…not the hurt and bruises but something more gentle…and our truths not matching…yeah i like that …so many neglected kids too you know…
Thank you Brian. It was kind of sad… in my head, writing it.
Never stop trying to become more. Far too many do…..
Exactly! It’s a (or should be) never ending process.
Thank you.
Evolution! Growth, development…the god given right to change. My better half still tries to hold me to what I was ten years ago…ha! That me died and was laid to rest…painful by time, but truly necessary if we are to make the most out of this life.
Oh yes, thank you Tash. Personal evolution is on-going, I think.
Very good…
Thank you for reading!
always becoming more…. that’s living, isn’t it?
this is wonderful, b!
β₯
thanks dani!