For today’s prompt, Kyle Dargan suggests writing out a list of all of your different layers of identity. For example, you might be a wife, a grandmother, a Philadelphian, a dental assistant, a rabid Phillies fan, a seamstress, retiree, agnostic, cancer survivor, etc.. These are all ways you could be described or lenses you could be viewed through. Now divide all of those things into lists of what makes you feel powerful and what makes you feel vulnerable. Now write a poem in which one of the identities from the first list contends or talks with an identity from the second list. This might turn out to be kind of a “heavy” exercise, emotionally, but I hope you will find the results enlightening.
When I started the poem, it felt heavy just like it was said. The entire process felt like an introspection and somewhere along the line, I felt the vulnerable me had to change to the stronger me for I wanted the world to know me only as a strong person. That was the part of me I liked, got the praise and got me recognition. However, writing the poem made me realize that the strong me would be incomplete if not for the other side of me. I enjoyed the journey I took while writing this poem. It was enlightening, no doubt. A wonderful exercise for everybody, not just those who write poetry.
Confident, stylish, smart
That’s how they see me
Naive, sensitive, simple
That’s how they see you
You’re really quite the opposite of me
Dependent, indecisive, sacrificer
That’s what I think of you
Independent, decisive, go-getter
That’s what you know of me
I’m truly quite the opposite of you
Those that know you are clueless about me
For when you’re around, I’m not.
Those that know me are oblivious of you
For when I’m around, you’re not.
They say I could never be you Or you, me.
I hear them say, “She’s different” –
Demanding yet understanding
Quick yet patient
A fighter, a forgiver
She doesn’t give up, she’s focused, she’s fun…
I like what they say… I really do
And truly, I believe it’s all thanks to you…
Go on…Be who you are,
Don’t change and don’t let me too,
Remind me like you do, if ever I do,
You’re you and I appreciate that,
You make me a better person. That’s a fact!
You and I, two sides of the same coin…
I like how we meet, diverge and join…Again!
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Eúnoia 
Correct me, Smitha, if this was the poem you took some time to create. I am not sure how you do and you do it beautifully. I loved it. It reminded me that I have evolved as a person over the years, I have imbibed some, learnt some and corrected some – but in essence I am the same, the same person I always used to be. Thank you for this reminder in such a beautiful poem, Smitha.
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Yes Pranitha. You’re right. Very few actually just 5 or 6 of the people who know both sides of me and they are not my family actually also do not understand how the 2 sides were so distinct. Writing it down made it clearer. Thank you so, so much for your comment. I guess a few of us evolve and learn from life while many do not and need to then hear it from wise men or read books like chicken soup for the soul😀. We need to set up that meeting quick😊
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Will message you soon, yes as of now, all seems well. I’m in and looking forward to it. 🙂
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You did complete justice to the prompt! Very well penned. I guess all of us have these faces…dependant at times, independent at others; confident at times, weak at others. But yes, at times it’s difficult to attribute both the opposite traits to the same person. Well done Smitha!
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Thanks Vandana for your appreciation. Friends and family do not know the side that colleagues know and vice-versa. Its rather weird how the two sides seem so distinct but are not. Thanks again Vandana!
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You are right. What we are professionally is many a times different from our personal life. You are welcome 😊😊
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Again an awesome post and an interesting challenge. I like how you separated the two ‘yous’ and joined them again. Is there any particular site for this challenge or do you come up with these all by yourself?
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Thanks Dahlia again for your lovely comment. You can log in to http://www.napowrimo.net for the prompts. They provide the prompts at around 10 a.m. I think in the morning everyday for 30 days.
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Thanks Smitha for the link, will check it out.
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Amazing! I really love the concept of this def. Gonna give it a try!
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Thank you so much Shan. Yes you must do it. Its strange how much you get to know of yourself through the exercise. Somehow putting it down in words brings things to perspective.
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Totally agree….ty for responding
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Wow
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Thanks Nisthur!
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Pleasure is completely mine.
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Awesome writer as always Smitha 😊 You just leave me speechless😊😊😊
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Thank you so much Preethi. You’re extremely generous with your compliments. Hugs😊
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Love this x
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Thank you Katie. Xxx
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