A Piece of Perception

I had no purpose,

life had no meaning.

I wanted to end this life

I’d been leading.

Oh God, that perception…

I’ve learned you don’t quite know

what someone’s going through,

until you really listen.

And even then,

you may not comprehend their mission.

We’ve crafted the mask,

play pretend

and paint an image.

A portrait that’s been distorted,

explicit lyrics left shortened.

The world we live in

thrives on perfectionism,

the number one thing

sabotaging our humanism.

As a society

we’ve lost sight of what’s really important,

seeing validity residing in endorsement.

Love and unity,

our brothers and sisters…

The roots that build thriving community.

Oh God, that perception…

Not recognizing the woman I was becoming,

my soul dying to bloom again;

Today is the day I take control of my life’s remain.

No more blaming,

no more running.

I promise when my struggles get too tough,

I’d drop to my knees

and pray to the power above me.

Each day is a new day,

yes struggles come and go,

Life is filled with lessons,

if you learn how to take the blow.

Blessed with people

whom I will never forget,

those who saved me from the demons

that wanted to slit my neck.

I never spoke about my struggles

or what I went through,

but here’s a glimpse of what created

the woman you’re listening to.

I fought to get to where I am,

it’s still far from perfect.

But I know where I’ve been,

I know where I’m at,

my heart, arms and ears are open

to where life is going.

Nothing is permanent,

and it will never be.

Don’t let your perception cloud

how great life can actually seem.

Forget comparisons

to the person next to you,

or on the gram.

Instead,

listen, relate

and begin to understand.

Oh God, that perception…

We know not one thing for certain.

We are all just human.

We’ve mastered masking the pain.

But forget those lies

that living desensitized

is the real grandiose prize.

I wrote this poem

to bring others alive.

Because what good am I

if I don’t share the hell God put me through,

only to strengthen

and pull me to rise?

My steps have been ordered,

my ego is slaughtered.

Precision on perception,

life is all about the lesson.

And I am always a work in progress.

Oh God, that perception…

- c.r.rose