while I might see the reflection of this in you,
this poem is really about me breaking free.
unreasonable expectations for perfection
continue to plague me.
to not mis a step, nor a beat, to remain
always on my feet, like a good soldier.
I can give you the world,
yet for myself I continue to put myself
down for my needs. second-hand love
for myself does not leave me replete.
like a ragdoll tossed in the wind,
I find myself face down in the mud
again and again.
dusting off seems my greatest skill, again
climbing up the seemingly endless hill.
the value I see in the trees, the move of the breeze.
learning to live it, breathe it
and see it even in me.
with each breath in
I choose to love me,
with each breath out,
I learn again to be free.
Lighting the match
I watch as I burn down the
Expectations that keep me de-elevated,
de-valued and de-pressed.
Washing the ashes down the drain.
Once again, I can my freedom re-claim.
Breaking free of my self-imposed cage
Keeps me from dying in the feelings of rage.
Breathing into the new space,
I now can return to the warmth of the sun,
With grace in my heart
and a smile on my face.
unfiltered from the heart 
Dusting yourself off and again rising to the challenge is such a wonderful quality! I forget this sometimes. Once again inspired by you, beautiful lady! ❤️
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Vic, I believe we can all forget it. I feel like I spend more time dusting off than I’d like. So glad I’m inspiring you. Thank you for sharing!
=)
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I absolutely love this. So many of the sentiments I can relate to. Just a quick example being this need to be perfect in order to find lasting love. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for reading and commenting.
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A friend once told me something about people having “perfect imperfections”….it helped me look at myself in a new light.
Wonderful poem, Tiffany.
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Thank you, Cathy! Yes, I easily see the beauty and potential in others. I easily give grace to and permission for you to be “perfectly imperfect,” yet I hold myself inside to this ridiculous set of standards.
I really appreciate your read and commenting. It’s been a tumultuous & yet rewarding week. I see I need to channel Bob Ross’ “happy mistakes.” ❤️
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I think most of us see what we perceive to be imperfections in ourselves, but not in others. I’ve had one of those weeks too. ❤️
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Much love to you as you move through it all. ❤️
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And the same to you, Tiffany. ❤️
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Heart smiles!
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Oh, Tiffany this is glorious! I can relate to so much of it, ah hell, almost all of it. In my minds I can see you crossing the the state line in your jeep, top down, hair blowin in the wind, face turned to the sky, ( one eye on the road please! Lol ) with the biggest most ridiculous smile on your face, and the words of this poem flowing through your head. And what glorious words they are!
You put a smile on my face, thank you! ❤❤❤ Ken
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Lol. That’s very accurate, Ken! Glad you enjoyed it, my friend. ❤️
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