Introspective

A found poem by Laurie J. Kemp
Inspired by Natalie Merchant's album Retrospective


Who told you that nothing about you was alright?
How painful it must be to bruise so easily inside.
Hiding from the vicious world outside.

Have I been wise to shut my eyes and play alone?
No chaos, no frenzied shrieking crowd.
Have I been blind, have I been lost inside myself,
in my own mind?

I realized I compromised,
sacrificed far too much
for far too long.
Never again, not in this life.

Should I raise my face to the heavens above
and tell G-d with love, with patience, with faith.
First gently and sweetly keep me safe.
Lullaby me to sleep

Sweet flowers blossom in my smile.
Fate smiled and destiny laughed
Letter script in careful hand, hungry for the word,
finding sweet relief in knowing it won't be long

Starting out from here today
take one last look behind,
the worst of it has come and gone.
It's high time you decide in your own mind
Build a dream.

Don't disrespect yourself, don't lose your pride
I tell you life is sweet.
Look in the mirror and what does it show?
Breathing in, breathing out...
Look at you, you're beautiful.