Reflecting

Spoken word piece after thinking how life is so much more than what we think it is.

Hope

Hope isn’t a blind-eyed dream

It’s a word used to mark the unseen possibilities

It, itself is a battle cry

 

Lining my pockets with I. O. Us

and promises of a better life

It is hope that makes me try

Hope that the footsteps I leave behind

in the sands of time

Will show

I left this world a better place than I found it

As I swallow my pride

Because I find the cloak labeled man

is a burdened too heavy to bear

Its not because I don’t care

It’s the fact that I care too much

As you stare and dare to pass judgment upon me

Seeing my meaningful tattoos as taboo to you

Labeling me ignorant before I speak

Now how is that freedom of speech

When I’m trapped in your negative perception of me  

 

hope beats in my chest like an ancient drum

can you hear it

Boom, Boom, Boom,

 

Death rolling on my tongue

In from of words that I dare not speak

Because I choose to not hear or perceive

The idea to give up

My mind riddled with the chaos of here and now

But I am bound by a vow I made to myself

To leave this world a better place

 

And it is hope that allows me to believe in this possibility

It’s the same hope I see in a parent's eyes

As they stare at their child and think what might be

It is hope I feel each any every time I write or read

Hope that my hope will spread like a fire

Warming all those around me

 

You may think I am just a dreamer

even think I am naive to believe I can change anything

But I was blessed with a mother and father

Who taught me to never allow anyone to hold me down

because I can achieve anything as long as I believe

and it’s this simple belief that drives me

Makes me appreciate all the little things life can bring

I wear this smile upon my face as I stare into a mirror

and see a thousand miles of footsteps lying behind me

Leading to where I stand now

And I am proud of the man that stands there in front me

I can see into his possibilities

and he is my hope

 

So let me end with this

What footsteps will you leave behind in the sands of time

 

Author's Note

Spoken word piece after thinking how life is so much more than what we think it is.

Reviews

[An Ordinary Woman]

Ahhh, the sands of time .... our footprints tell our story. Where we've been and what we do, what we HOPE to do. I'm so glad for footprints, dear friend- this is a beautiful poem.

It seems many of us are doing some reflecting lately. maybe it is the holiday season or maybe it's something else, I'm not sure. I've had lots on my mind and haven't really put much of it to paper. I dunno, I need big changes in my life. I am grateful that, above all else, at least now I can see that and even better I can understand it. That in itself won't make the decisions I'm making any easier though.

Ops, sorry I'm rambling again ... your poetry does that to me. lol

[Emily B]

I hear it. Maybe louder than I heard it the last time I stopped by . . . amazing words!

[just is]

Lining my pockets with I. O. Us
and promises of a better life
It is hope that makes me try
Hope that the footsteps I leave behind
in the sands of time
Will show
I left this world a better place than I found it

You've done it again, your creative and talent has
captured me, Where do find such amazing words to use.
I like this one. I felt this emotion of strength in this.
You can write raw honest truth and I like that.

[Christel Grady]

Who was it that said, "Without hope, we are nothing."? You inspire me, and make me want to believe that the world is a better place than it probably truly is. Personally, I'd rather be labeled a freak than some hum-drum normal person. You are a beacon to us all. Thank you, Robert. :)

[Jessica Dallaire]

OH wow... I really, really, really like this. Just... Wow.

[Xanthar]

Solid piece. I like the tone of it. Controlled defiance is a tough place to stand, but you did it well. The only CC I have is that perhaps it could flow a bit better, but that's just style. The content here is fantastic.
Cheers!
X

[Nikky with broken wings..]

It is absolutely extraordinary that you can put all of a person's self esteem in a few ample stanzas. The way you can love yourself throughout everything you could have done. Beautifully written, exquisite in the most. I give you many kudos. You are a very strong person.

[Blackbirdsong]

This is like your own personal Invictus Robert and bravo to you. I felt empowered from reading this because of the strength and dignity you command here. Though I haven't got tattoos, I know what is like to have people judge me as ignorant or dirty because of ethnicity. I've seen the looks of shocks on many faces when I open my mouth and speak correcct English - something they clearly assumed I wouldn't be able to do. We're like the odd chick that the other chicks attack for being different, but those attacks make us stronger. I embrace being different now and I wouldn't have it any other way. I hope as you state here that when my time comes I will leave the world a better place than I found it and that footsteps will be ones that others will want to follow.

[justjenn_2u]

Without hope there is no joy in living. I love how you are abe to look into the mirror and love who you see. There are so many who can't. I also admire that you recognize that you are the emotion "hope". You take a deep look into hope and I think more people need to do the same.

Wonderful expression of emotion. I enjoyed this!

[Aria]

I liked this. THe message is simple and straight forward and its not one htat many people listen to.

Hope that my hope will spread like a fire

Warming all those around me

I like those lines. If only more people were out there like that. Good read.

[Ladysue]

Robert, the voice in this poem speaks with profound optimism and warmth. I do agree with cowboy that you do
bring philosophy and intellect into creative form. I absolutely love the way you see things! I love how you ended it with a thought provoking question. Excellent composition!!!!!