“You mustn’t wait for someone to rescue you. A girl expecting rescue never learns to save herself. Even with the means, she’ll find her courage wanting. Don’t be like that… You must find your courage, learn to rescue yourself, never rely on anyone else.”
~Kate Morton in The Forgotten Garden
What do you think of this advice? Does it get in the way of accepting help from others?
A sales lady
rhapodized over my
red and purple shoes.
“I wish I had the guts
to wear something like that,”
she said, sighing.
“I always admire
great shoes on other people.”
.
I told someone of this,
and she said,
“I know what she means.
I used to envy people
who had the courage to wear
red lipstick.”
I smiled,
gazing at her scarlet lips.
“Do you feel super-powered
in that lipstick?”
Her eyes just twinkled in response.
.
We hold ourselves back,
from what will
make our spirits soar,
reveal our natures,
demonstrate our individuality,
because of what?
Fear of censure by dullards?
or
Fear of our own unleashed potential?
.
Embrace the tokens
of your power:
wear shoes that make your feet
dance in the street,
and lipstick that makes your smile
a billboard for your joy.
Be you
in all your
power.
.
(Thanks Julia, for loaning me the lipstick image). 😉
I know
you’re broken.
I see the fracture lines
behind your eyes
I feel the seepage
leaking from the crack in your soul.
I have
needle, thread
glue
and hope.
I’ll share.
It is enough
that you fill the hollow places.
When you’re in your darkness,
the glistening of faith in you
can find the warmth you need
so what was empty
overflows with me.
You stand silently apart
You hover on the edges
distinct
observant
I mingle like sugar in water
wondering
wishing
longing
to draw you
into my arms
to hold you
to anchor you.
But you don’t know where
those hands have been.
You seek a quiet place
to find a peaceful oasis
for the discomfort of that skin
for the ramble of those thoughts
for the torture of that crowd
I stand apart
and watch you pull yourself
in pieces
I’m laughing and chatting
and wishing I could be enough
to give you courage
strength
faith in yourself,
but I’m not.
No matter how much
my heart is full to bursting
with wanting it.
You have to be
enough
alone.
She trusts him
-the truth of him
–the truth of them
but she fears
the helplessness
-having watched him
unfold and unravel
under eyes that glowed
with glorious attention.
Temptation trails closely
behind such glowing eyes
and apparently intelligence
and good intention
are not always
adequte protection
from ampilified admiration.
That’s the truth of them
-the truth of him
–the truth of trust.
.
.
A submission for One Shot Wednesday. Check out the poets.
Shawn L. Bird 