I Can See Clearly Now (revisited)

I always wanted to capture that image created 

In my mind’s eye on paper somehow…….

Through words or through the lens of a camera 

Or even perhaps by illustration 

I settled for trying to write it out, to string together 

The words that somehow portrayed what was in 

My heart

When life was painful, I tried to write the pain away

Anything to keep from getting stuck in that one 

Position where life smothers you, suffocates you – 

Takes away your dreams 

I always felt the need to run from the choking 

Atmosphere where people judged me, thought 

They knew me, thought I was unworthy, not good 

Enough, not pretty enough, where being me was 

Somehow not acceptable to the standards of the day

I just couldn’t measure up 

I cried a lot then. I died a thousand deaths before 

Taking flight to a new realm of possibilities 

What if they were wrong about me? What if there 

Were others out there like me screaming silently, 

Wanting to get out, restless, fidgety, waiting for 

An opportunity to present itself. Would it be too late? 

Remaining in the shadows I peek out just to take 

A glance 

Can you see me now? Is that little girl from so long ago

Visible to the world? Stepping out, fragile, breakable 

I never had a voice, never could speak the words out 

Loud for fear of ridicule, rejection 

Acceptance was everything but somehow I never 

Accepted myself. Never gave myself permission to 

Not be perfect – not to be someone else’s perfect

Gotta take another look at myself, maybe it’s ok to 

Be the me that I feel inside

Maybe, like me, someone else needs that assurance 

That to be you is all that is required 

Cowards need not apply……..just live your life 

Free and clear.