Poetry in Pieces: Week Four w/@MeeJong

This is a collaborative poem MeeJong and I wrote together by alternating verses over a weeklong time frame. This is a really fun and meaningful way to write poetry, and I am thankful to MeeJong for inviting me onto this journey with her. So without further ado, we'll kick this off with MeeJong's verses first:

Where do you go?

Into the recesses of your mind?

When you go there

What is it that you find?

I look into the mirror of their eyes

And cannot discern truth from lies

What is the truth of my life

What is the truth of theirs?

What is real, and what is an illusion?

It can be hard to distinguish, especially when you see a combination of both.

We all have our own stories we tell with our lives.

With some scenes within us that we try to delete.

But try as we might, sometimes those special features from our lives will play the moments we edited out.

I try to be real, and portray myself as what you see is what you get.

But not every aspect of me gets shared.

I feel some guilt over that, yet I still hide those bits of me that I would rather not be associated with.

I think I need to think about how to approach this, as the story of my life keeps rolling.

Sharing the hard parts

Is what makes us human

If we were made only of highlights

We would be a tik tok reel

Or Facebook timeline

Being open to what we would rather shut out

Is where true connection happens

The connection which brings you light

When the electricity goes out

Being vulnerable brings us growth.

I need to remember this, and channel my thoughts in those moments.

Especially the times when I feel overwhelmed by it all.

Like waking up tired, and wanting to sleep the day away.

The craziness of a group of kids the day before a holiday awaits me.

I really don't want to do this today, and I feel bad for saying that.

But I have to overcome that desire to bow out, and dive in instead.

Despite any stress that awaits, I'll be glad I was there when the day ends.

And who knows? Maybe I'll make good memories in some young lives today.

All because I said yes when I didn't want to.

My body said no this morning

No it’s too cold and

No I’m too tired and

No it’s too early

But my mind said

You have responsibilities

My mind said get up and preempt the guilt

Which will eat you alive

If you give in to your selfish desires

My mind won, and you know what?

My body feels better too.

Today is going to be a good day.

I showed up yesterday, but was mentally checked out.

Patience was low, and I could have done better.

But a blessing in life, is the opportunity to try again.

Learn from the mistakes, and give it another go.

Today I will give thanks, for a life that brings me joy and challenges.

I will soak up inspiration from its providers, including your words.

Today I am thankful for a life

Full of the proof

Of positive connections

I have made

Even though I often feel unworthy

Today I remind myself

To just be grateful

And let people know

I am grateful for them

I am grateful for the connections, friendships, and bonds in my life too.

Sometimes I also don't feel like I deserve them, and maybe a flawed person like myself doesn't.

But I believe the Good Lord loves us, and put a deep desire within us to learn and improve.

I'll never stop evolving, I'll keep seeking positive change.

That is something I've been empowered to do.

I just have to think of Him, and remember that I'm not alone when it comes to doing this work.

You know that climax in superhero movies

Where the hero, facing great conflict

Is instructed

To remember who they are?

I feel like every day

In a million little ways

I’m trying to figure out exactly that

Sometimes

It’s invigorating

Sometimes

It’s exhausting

And after all these years

The only thing I am sure of

Is that I don’t believe

What anyone else says on the matter

Many factors can determine the people we become.

It can be our past, our family, our friends - anyone we've ever met.

Our faith can play a role, as can our hobbies, our passions, art that we consume and create.

Everything we do or interact with leaves an impression on who we are.

But no matter what, especially regardless of what anyone says,

We get to figure out and embrace who we are for ourselves.

It may take time, and our identity will evolve as we explore.

But part of life's journey is finding the answer to what it is that makes us.... us!

And we are worth the time it takes to get there, always.

I know I am a product of my environment

I am a product of my biology

I am a product of my geo-story

I am a product of my gender

I am a product of the myriad of elements

Which have combined to create this one life

I guess what I want to know is

What if I subtract all of those things

Then, what is left?

Or am I only able to arrive at my true self

By addition of other things

Let's do the Math and see.

Subtracting all of those things would remove some foundation of who you are.

But everything you have experienced, faced, endured, enjoyed, and loved will always be there.

And everything that you've been through, whether good or bad, will be there to stay.

Life seems to be about adding our past experiences, present experiences, and future work together.

Along with the things we were born into that we don't control.

I hope your days go smoother, and life treats you well going forward.

You are a masterpiece that was meant to be, and this world is better with you in it!