Perfectionism
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The Vase

They put the vaseIn my hands at birthAlong with a noteOf how much it was worth When I could walkI had to place it on my headThere it had to remainNo matter what I said Everyone’s eyesSeemed to be drawn to itWhispering and watchingTo see if it would slip So I worked harderThan all the othersPushed myself to… Continue reading
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The Tightrope

Do what you love To break yourself free But if I do too much My mind cracks beneath me It’s a balancing act Edging across a tightrope But I have no balancing bar So how can I have any hope? I am left to struggle To find the answers on my own But whichever way… Continue reading
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Fed Up

I have learned during my recovery from depression that it is a journey of learning – learning how to manage emotions, deal with past traumas and about yourself. I have had to learn to move forward with a flexible approach. This poem details my frustration after trying to take a rigid approach and my journey… Continue reading
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Condemnation

Like a bludgeon Condemnation aims low Trying to cripple us Our progress to slow It drills in thoughts Hoping to fix them in place Telling us we’re not worthy To finish our race With every blow we allow Our self-esteem becomes distorted Our confidence fractures The supporting structure contorted But just because you fell It… Continue reading
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Designed

I am designed by You God Constructed intricately Out of millions of configurations You decided on me But the world tells us we’re worthless Unless we fit its mould Submit to its image of perfection So like sheep, we follow So instead of embracing How we were made We lock our gifts away And they… Continue reading
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Fiery Darts

Accusing darts fired A hailstorm of fiery arrows Piercing my bones Right down to the marrow Are we resisting this onslaught? Or are we standing by passively? Accepting this barrage of guilt Letting it define our identity Wake up! The punishment has already been taken Our guilt has been transferred In our place, He was… Continue reading
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Cracked Pots

Shattered pieces Shards of clay The once-smooth texture Now riddled with dismay Damaged goods We label ourselves And slide our way To the back of the shelves He searches in the shadows For those who hide Those with shattered confidence To bring them new life Cracks of shame Filled with the clay of grace Old… Continue reading
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Agony

This is painful This hurts It’s building up within me I am about to burst A bitter taste in the mouth A dark mist over the eyes A searing pain in the chest Endless screaming in my mind I can let it overwhelm me Or I can harness its force Take hold of this black… Continue reading
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Keys to Contentment

Choose purpose over pleasure Avoid passivity, not pain Aim for progress, not perfection Celebrate every marginal gain Embrace the peace of silence Take stock of what you own See boredom as an opportunity To find creative ways to grow Relish every breath Treasure every sunrise Stay near to those who love you Choose an impactful… Continue reading
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Perfectionism 2

A faint whisper Into my ear An unsettling feeling A shiver of fear You always tell me That disaster is on its way That I have to do more To keep the destruction at bay You are an immortal phantom Chasing me down dark alleyways You chant constant threats I always feel your blade My… Continue reading
