Rosemary from Poets and Storytellers United asked us to write about telling secrets. I used to have many. They were the secrets of my mind. But I can say I can't think of any secrets I still have.
Secrets
Secrets were hidden in
the drawer of my mind,
too fragile to trust to the birds of the world,
who might peck and scatter these seeds of my soul.
In that dark and confined space, they were safe.
But these secrets
longed for freedom,
so it was a treasure to drop my mask,
to release the parts of me deemed bad or mad
by a society that did not understand.
Now, older and freer,
I release them daily—
pouring my heart out, shouting, dancing, and singing,
claiming my space with open arms
and soaring on wings of self-acceptance.
So dance with me; be
both beauty and beast,
as I embrace every part of who I am.
Now I am older I release them every day - can totally relate to that... now I don't care to keep things that I may have hesitated to tell before...age definitely plays into that! And it really is cathartic!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could do that. Once or twice I have and while it was a very careful judgement by me, it was a good thing to do. I won't make a habit of it though.
ReplyDeleteSad that when young we can feel so repressed, but how good that as we get older we learn to be free. I love the way you have expressed this.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of getting rid of the mask that hides our secrets. It finally frees us as individuals.
ReplyDeleteYou put it beautifully. There is a greater freedom to clean out the inside of those drawers and expose our deepest thoughts we might have thought too risky to tell in youth.
ReplyDeleteHow very wise, your thoughtful poem. At eighty-two I believe there may be no more shameful secrets to share. Unburdening feels heavenly whether to ourselves, loved ones, a religious or a therapist.
ReplyDeleteSome things one might be punished for saying when young are perfectly all right to say when one is older. Especially Romantic Love--still needs to be kept a secret if we want to hear it from the men, but fine to proclaim to the world after a few years of marriage.
ReplyDelete(Priscilla King)
One of the few benefits of age....not having to keep up an image and the accompanying secrets. One can be mad and bad:) ...Rall
ReplyDeleteI'm with you almost, I only have maybe a couple that I will NEVER release.
ReplyDeleteAging now, yes, it has too much else to worry about to be having new secrets.
..
I believe I once had secrets that are now forgotten. Secrets die with me, which is maybe as it should be.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeleteThe movement from the drawers to soaring is excellent.
ReplyDeleteI also really dig this line: spit out these seeds of my soul - very cool image.
I've been cleaning the psyche's house as well. What a relief.
ReplyDeleteLovely writing. interesting topic too.
ReplyDeleteYou had me from the first line!
ReplyDeleteHi Marja - beautifully expressed ... such a relief for us all - better to be true to ourselves. Thanks - cheers Hilary
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