28 April 2011

Looking Within


The fourth step of CODA says, "Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves."


Looking Within

it was strange... to look within
to leave behind a world
where approval... was a drug
needed to survive
this path... this journey
made some believe
they were abandoned
yet... it was the greatest
act of love ever given

for the first time
I accepted that your actions
were not my responsibility
it was painful... to realize
I couldn't save you
it wasn't done out of hate
rather... as a means of survival
... mine...

who knows what tomorrow will bring
the sun will rise
and I'll see it in a new way
our dependence on each other
wasn't love
it was an illness
that stopped our growth
and took us on a path
that wasn't our destiny

1 comment:

  1. Six reviews from "Authors Den"

    Reviewed by Barbara Henry 7/17/2009
    Dave,
    This is a great poem,and it helps to liberate the reader from whatever is binding him or her since all growth is from the inside out.

    Reviewed by Karen Palumbo 4/19/2008
    So much humility, truth and wisdom penned within these lines....

    Reviewed by Flying Fox Ted L Glines 4/18/2008
    Perfectly stated, Dave! I remember what a prof told us in a psychology class, "You will never save anyone. You are not that powerful." Ah, and if you do save someone, as the Chinese say, for the rest of their lives, they will be your burden. I am enough burden for me to carry. Very well penned, Dave.

    Reviewed by Jackie (Micke) Jinks 4/18/2008
    An eye-opener, tester, and inspirational all combined in your poem, Dave. If reality, best wishes to you...and trust your instincts.

    Reviewed by Cryssa C 4/18/2008
    This is something that I struggle and struggle with... not being dependent upon the approval of others, and not feeling guilty if something doesn't go right for someone I care for.
    You so eloquently expressed the truth in this poem...

    Reviewed by Felix Perry 4/18/2008
    It is often hard to look at a failed relationship and not want to place blame somewhere, whether it is at the other party or ourselves but sometimes we just have to accept that it was just not meant to be and move on to what may be planned for us by a higher power...

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