How does one
begin
to live the
authentic life?
With integrity
and honour
and humility,
I think.
Someone once
told me
“remain above
reproach”.
I wonder if
anyone can do that
I still find
myself beneath.
Each day I
awaken with principles strong
my little torch
raised high.
To light the
way through the darkest times
yet by day’s
end I feel the dark.
I want to be
called courage
I want to be
called strength.
I want to live
with a steely resolve
never wavering
from my path.
So where do
you go to try yourself on
where do you reach
the limits you hold?
Where does the
depth of the darkest soul
come face to
face with the light.
I think it’s
in coming clean
stripping away
the muck and the mire.
Crawling back
up to the surface
from the sun
there is no place to hide.
I think it’s
in falling to your knees
and begging
for mercy’s hand.
To reach out
to you and draw you in
and cradle you
in her arms.
I think it’s
in surrendering everything
and admitting
that you are weak.
In allowing
yourself to have failed
you have shown
how strong you are.
I think it’s
in humility
in simply
asking for help.
In letting
down the walls and shields
and letting
someone in.
I think it’s
in wanting to live
and finally
making that choice.
In letting go
of some illusion
that your
suffering is deserved.
I think that
believing that you have to martyr
yourself for
mistakes you have made.
Is the
beginning of the end of living
it is giving
your life away.
There is no
resurrection, no rising again
no phoenix
back from the flame.
There are only
scars left on skin
and bodies
that can’t heal
The answer I
think is simple
authentic is
only this.
It is living
without hiding behind
the fear of
making mistakes.
Authentic life is living to a self imposed moral code and not lying to yourself
ReplyDelete"To thine own self be true "
and admitting that you are weak.
ReplyDeleteIn allowing yourself to have failed
you have shown how strong you are....that's the key for me here...the aknowledging that we're weak and when we fall, get up again and try anew without condemning us
good or bad, right or wrong are always there, we need to go through it i think...
ReplyDeleteI think you are right =) This is a wonderful introspective and honest poem, beautifully done
ReplyDeleteand begging for mercy’s hand. - I love this and its honesty. Mercy is wonderful and so are your words
ReplyDeleteA sincere and beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteSO much! It is as if the narrator is conversing with another or with a self to think in words, to move on and to realize that this very poem of the questions and answers is an authentic life. As long as we keep asking the questions ...
ReplyDeleteEvery single line speaks to the one who reads and listens. This is exceptional, both philosophically and literarily, Andrea. I read it and then read it again because the truth of it is so life affirming, encouraging, real.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful exploration. When Soul-searching gives us an answer, for the individual, it is always the one needed.
ReplyDeleteI really like this. There is much wisdom in your words throughout this piece Andrea. Strong, wonderful work!
ReplyDeleteYou illustrate that there are many answers to simple questions, self-acceptance being a universal bond.
ReplyDeleteThis is one strong and beautiful piece of writing, and if taken to heart, could save a reader years of therapy!! Bravo to every single word!(Social) Justice
ReplyDeleteSo much wisdom in this poem, Andrea. I especially love your closing lines. Powerfully written. I love the way your poem looks against the beautiful photo of your template. Really lovely.
ReplyDeleteA very thoughtful and heartfelt poem.
ReplyDeleteExcellent. Authentic.
ReplyDeleteI do think a person can remain above reproach. He/she may not lead a perfect life......but if one does the best one can, tries the hardest one can, really no one (not even the person himself/herself) can fault him/her. We have to accept our humanity....and others.
ReplyDelete