I love writing poetry, because it has a therapeutic side to it. With poetry, I get to express myself and write about so many things, my inner most being. My O-level high school English teacher Mr Sengwe introduced me to the world of writing. I remember vividly he used to read my essays to the class, that’s when I realised that writing was a powerful tool that could bring comfort, healing and bring to life the imaginations stored in our minds.
Then another love emerged , poetry triggered by another English teacher Mrs Kilner who read my very first poem and thought it needed to be published. She read it to the whole class and I think that’s when my love affaire for poetry developed. Hence it was published by a publishing house called Young Writers UK. A decade later the poem has gone through some modifications, showing a certain level of maturity.
I look back now in retrospect, perhaps with a greater understanding. This poem teaches about self love, respect and the sobering truth that you cannot conquer, and reach pure inner bliss until you learn to be comfortable with who you are. You cannot be a great partner, lover, friend if you are not in love with who you are first. Other people will always have an opinion and what they think or say doesn’t matter at all. Even if they massacre your reputation based on their ignorance it doesn’t matter. It’s just a mirage of who they think you are, it’s by no means a reflection of who you actually are.
However,If you do not accept, forgive and embrace yourself first no one will. If you are not comfortable with yourself in your own skin, I am sorry to say this but it’s a cruel, brutal world ,and there are some people who are going to shake you, break you, tease you, accuse you and make you doubt who you are. So may the words of this poem resonate with your own life or may you find bits and pieces you can relate to.
I will be taking you through an anthology of poems. My hope is for these poems to inspire, heal you and give you hope.
So without much further ado here is my very first poem tilted My best friend and I. I dedicate this poem to anyone who has struggled in accepting themseleves for who they are or anyone who has been bullied or made to feel uncomfortable in their own skin, or anyone who has been misjudged, misunderstood or humiliated, please know, the fact that you are stilll breathing means, you have not lost the battle. I also encourage parents to read this poem to their children who are going through identity issues, or trouble fitting in.
My Best Friend And I
From the day, I was born she was there,
From the day I took my first steps, she was there
Her heart is like an ocean
Always in motion
Wide and deep,with secrets she can never dare, share
We laugh together
We cry together
She has gone through so many waves and tides
That tried to drown her
But like a burning inferno she bursted out from the surface
That tried to suffocate her
I sometimes look at her in horror!
I am filled with terror !
But then again, I remember she is a great warrior!
She is the one and only girl I see in the mirror!
By
Yananai Woman of Art
