I am a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). This means my emotional system reacts deeply and can easily become overwhelmed. My internal alarm is sharp, and when I am criticised, especially when the criticism feels unfair, it can shake my confidence profoundly and makes me weary. Writing helps me process these feelings, so here is a poem born from that experience.
Beneath the ice
My cry is blue
like weary threads of sorrow woven through
the curtains of my mind,
hiding my peace.
At
first, I felt untouchable,
but someone wiped away my security
with one harsh swipe
scratching sharp words
into my being,
raking their fingers
across the strings of my heart,
like claws on a chalkboard.
Unfair
criticism
again and again.
But
then a voice whispered:
It is not about you.
You are the stream
beneath the sheet of ice,
unseen by the eye,
still flowing toward the light.
Your
warmth will break the ice.
You will answer with kindness.
The
wind will dress you
in a cloak of invincibility,
and the air will hum a song.
The earth glowing
just a little more
than before.
Be true to your own values, your own sense of self worth. That’s what really counts.
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteAaaaah, know you're not alone. I feel your words. Still practising being the calm when chaos reigns, sometimes it works, sometimes not, but I now knOw, whatever is thrown at me has everything to do with the person throwing, than with me... much love, V
ReplyDeleteThank you I learned that too Still hard to shake of isn't it Arohanui
Delete...being a Highly Sensitive Person these days comes with its problems.
ReplyDeleteTrue It also comes with advantages as you experience music and beauty a lot more as well
DeleteYour poem carries a powerful journey from pain to resilience, with the image of the stream beneath the ice shining as a symbol of quiet strength and renewal.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteYou are beautiful person. I remember how kind you were to us when we visited NZ. Sometimes I have to say to myself, "You can do this" because I have become unsure of myself as I get older. Lacking in self confidence.
ReplyDeleteI know you as a very kind person. That warmth is who you are. It hasn’t gone anywhere.
DeleteYes, that voice is what we really need to listen to, eh? No matter how many voices are trying to scream over it.
ReplyDelete"You are the stream
ReplyDeletebeneath the sheet of ice"
How lovely that the inner light helped you to know this, despite the claws on the violin. . . . marvelous images! Thank you for this poem.
This poem is very poignant. I really feel the opening stanza, with its sorrow "woven through the curtains of my mind." It is a harsh world for sensitive people these days. I retreat into my peaceful rooms, my books and poetry and old movies, and wait for the world to get well again. There is so much wisdom in "It is not about you" and responding with kindness. That is the way to inner peace, I believe, and the harsh ones can live in their turmoil. I really resonate with your poem, Marja. So glad you shared it.
ReplyDeleteA lovely poem! I am a Highly Sensitive Person, I totally can relate.
ReplyDeleteWhat a tenderly written and insightful poem. Full of rich imagery and a message of living in the world in a way that we learn how to make comfortable- lovely poem - jae
ReplyDeleteI love the inner voice, so healing. In rough weather, these days I simply want to be gentle with myself, choosing well being over chaos and drama, and refusing to entertain anything that costs my inner peace. I agree 100% with the speaker's inner voice .
ReplyDelete"You are the stream
beneath the sheet of ice,
unseen by the eye,
still flowing toward the light."...I can't tell you how I LOVE this part. Beautiful, Marja.
Unfairness in any form can be soul-destroying. You are a very strong person to be able to overcome that and proceed with self-confidence, Marja. The only thing that can give some sense of redress in such situation is that people who are responsible for the injury are so weak and insecure, that will receive even harsher treatment themselves... A beautiful poem filled with amazing word pictures!
ReplyDeleteI curl up with my own notebook when I feel the world pressing too hard, and I understand that sharp ache of criticism. I imagine being that hidden stream beneath the ice, moving quietly, unseen, but still carrying warmth. Writing like this makes me feel stronger, even in my own quiet, weary moments.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel about unfair criticism. It can really shake a person. But this poem is such an inspiration, expressing a way to deal with it. I love the last stanza and the "cloak of invincibility" image is breathtaking! Beautifully penned.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully honest description of your journey - to be able to find the spirit to survive and thrive is a gift - Jae
ReplyDeleteNice poem, I hadn't heard the term for HSP before. Sounds like it might be cured, I hope your voice's advice will help. Perhaps similar to ". . . rolling off my back?"
ReplyDeleteSharp words can be so harmful and demoralizing so they are hard to leave behind. Glad for those who escape, wishing for more of those could escape.
ReplyDeleteWords can be our friend or our enemy at times. Criticism when not constructive can surely damage the psych. Wishing you peace in your stream .....
ReplyDelete