by Human, Katherine, seeker of intergalactic life, inhabitant of Earth
Member since:
September 26, 2007

REFLECTIONS

January 19, 2009 12:30 PM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 18

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d36/d449/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

I often reflect on the self induced prisons some of us place ourselves in.

The ability we give the pain to continue inflicting hurt on us, long after the episode is over.

Do we allow the pain and unhappiness to continue on so we can feel something? Is happiness so hard to attain?

By uncovering the memories that started the downward spiral, can we shake them loose and dispose of them or do we banish them to the deep recesses of our brain.

In crying there is release, screaming and fighting through it....


Reflections

Do the prisons we construct
around our souls
protect us from harm?

Does thick skin
deflect penetration
of happiness as well as despair?

Are the protective walls
we've built solid
imprisoning life until death?

Can I break through
the tiny crack
you my friend have cleared for me?

 

Comments: 18

Linda K. Jan 19, 2009, 12:40pm UTC
Beautiful and provocative -- both the artwork and poetry!
Rose Hill Jan 19, 2009, 12:41pm UTC
Katherine, I often wonder the same. Over the years though I have learned to aquire a new perspective, but I've been down the road of avoidance, denial, despair - it takes courage to break out of our self induced prison.
Clarity can come through reflection, but more often it is that the pain is finally more than we can deal with.
I've definitely had a touch of the stockholm syndrome so to speak, not seeing that all I needed to do was walk away and unable to visualize how I could possibly live a different life - on my terms.
Alison H. Jan 19, 2009, 12:52pm UTC
Great post and love the art, too.
Kenna C. Jan 19, 2009, 1:00pm UTC
As I've said before, Katherine, this is a poignant and profound post. I enjoyed reading it again!
Laurie R. Jan 19, 2009, 1:10pm UTC
Very well thought out post. I really is one that makes your think. We often take the easy path. I love it and the artwork too.
Marge H. Jan 19, 2009, 1:52pm UTC
Thought provoking. Sometimes we have been hurt so often that it seems the only defense is to build walls, but as your poem suggests, those walls don't let happiness in.
Marianne R. Jan 19, 2009, 1:52pm UTC
Very nice
The balance one wishes to attain in life..of happiness and reality, is no easier when we ignore the sorrow put upon us. To experience life we can not build a cage around our emotions, for from the depths of despair we can rise to greater heights of understanding, empathy and forgiveness. The saying, “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. " Is a lesson often learned the hard way.
Ruthi C. Jan 14, 2010, 10:41pm UTC
Quite introspective!
Elaine M. Jan 19, 2009, 2:43pm UTC
Life lessons certainly can make us want to avoid the things that cause pain. I do believe that we lose part of ourselves, our innocence, when we undergo those experiences. I know that I have changed over time--it's a way of both coping with and protecting myself from hurtful circumstances.
penni d. Jan 19, 2009, 5:21pm UTC
Very apt, astute, katherine...I am learning to live in the Now, finally...:)
Marilyn (PaintsOnSlate) S. Jan 20, 2009, 9:08am UTC
I have always tended to face my fears and my goal is to be happy and content! I am grateful for the lack of prisons in my life.
Rose Hill Jan 20, 2009, 10:52am UTC
I came back to read this one more time and btw I liked the artwork too. The comment you made Katherine:

To experience life we can not build a cage around our emotions, for from the depths of despair we can rise to greater heights of understanding, empathy and forgiveness.

So true - bittersweet and all the real ramification of choices in our lives aside, it changes us forever.
lynn a. Jan 20, 2009, 5:51pm UTC
KC, this is very powerful and painful, in that when we are so wronged, that can make us cut off feelings that also cut off future happiness, and that's just plain not fair. I think we have to learn how to live with what has been and yet also learn to be free to experience the happiness we can have. Practicing being happy can help us get good at experiencing happiness. It is the how to do it that can be such a difficult hurdle. And it by no means is as simple as practicing happiness. There's a whole lot more to it. This piece has been strong enough to give me quite a jolt. Good writing, Katherine.
Pat Bertram Jan 28, 2009, 10:20pm UTC
Wise beyond your galaxy, Human Katherine. I have discovered that some of the most enduring hurts are those I (perhaps inadvertantly) inflicted on others. Some still haunt me. Or at least don't let me forget.
I'm enjoying everyone's insightful comments, we all experience life differently.
June B. Mar 13, 2009, 1:10am UTC
One of the hardest things for me, is to hold on to forgiveness. I forgive easily but it soon turns into anger once again. It's a constant battle for me and I do feel imprisoned by it. The sad part is that it happened many, many years ago and should have been forgoten already.
Ruthi C. Jan 14, 2010, 10:40pm UTC
Beautifully presented and thought-provoking post.

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