The Hope

[Guest therisa]

They say

To know a person

First you must look

Into their eyes

To observe

What type of soul

They have.

Is it

One filled

With love or hatred

Understanding or ignorance

Light or darkness?

Or is it

A reflection of ourselves

In the lens

Of that person’s eyes.

Mirroring

Our fears and dreams

Of a brutal past

Filled with hatred

And ignorance

Because they’re different?

Else

A present

Which is unfolding

Before your very eyes

Of growth and acceptance.

Embracing the very differences

In the past

Would have ended

In a brutal assault.

Building towards

A future

Filled with love

And understanding

Where one isn’t forced

Or need to hide

Their true self.

Embracing and cherishing

The difference

Within

All of us.

[Carolyn Marie]

Very nice poem, Therisa.

I do believe you can sense who a person is by looking in their eyes. You are an observant person, Therisa.

You don't miss much.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Brutal assult - it is closer to what you need to say... but you doooo write gooood poetry

Lizzy

[Guest therisa]

Sadly, Carolyn, you have to be an observant person, if you don't want to be constantly beaten up, when you are different and everyone knows it. Elizabeth, I am trying to place that part of my life, way behind me, but not buried behind walls of denial, as I have done in the past. Hardest thing to do, is to have hope, when all you know is, abuse and terror.

therisa

[JJ]

One of the saddest things about school abuse is that we carry that expectation and view of the way people behave forward into the world where the behaviors that are sometimes the norm in school are rare and actually criminal actions.

A phrase I hear a lot about school bullies and their ilk is"life will take those edges off of them". And it's true. Sure you'll still find those people but it's rare. I think when we expect it and fear them they sense a victim and are drawn to us. So we continue to see the world as it was in the schoolyard.

But even though we have to be aware of our safety, we are not surrounded by enemies, or even potential enemies. We are surrounded by ordinary people who want to do the right thing and feel good about themselves. Who are also frightened and depressed and looking for a way to hold their world together. They are us. When we both understand that then we get along.

There are friends waiting all around for you as soon as you are ready to see them.

Hugs

John

[Guest miss kindheart]

A nice poem therisa,

<<< hug >>>>

It would be an interesting world if we could truly see another's soul , by looking into their eyes

I think Quite often we can see brief thoughts, but little more.

vanna

[Guest therisa]

I understand John. In the past, I would have written a much darker poem, regarding my view towards hope and the events from my past. I am starting to move beyond the shadow of my past. Will acknowledged, it is not an easy task, as some people may think.

Thanks, Vanna. In many non-European cultures, the idea of having their photo taken, is capture their souls. Thus, preventing from moving on to the afterlife.

therisa

[Guest miss kindheart]

Thanks, Vanna. In many non-European cultures, the idea of having their photo taken, is capture their souls. Thus, preventing from moving on to the afterlife.

therisa

Interesting concept

I never thought of it that way

<<<< hug >>>>

vanna

[Guest therisa]

Interesting what we, in the West, can learn from other cultures, considered by us, as being "primative".

therisa