Albatrosses and Heavyweights

(don't tell me you've never had any)

can you forgive

your own failures

and own those albatrosses

that hang round your neck

as a reminder of past  cringes?

can you look them

straight in the eye

without a trace of hesitation

without hiding behind

that furrowed brow

sending tramlines across

your forehead?

instead of running

in the opposite direction

can you remain rooted

can you accept responsibility

for the part you played?

can you embrace your faults

with arms open wide

casting aside all delays

square up to them 

shoulder to shoulder

stand tall?

instead of condemning others

old friends, lovers, family

anyone at all

for the small part they may

have played

can you willingly say

it's a new day

this is the way forward

hands on heart

a fresh beginning

accept you could have 

fared better, expose yourself

unclothe yourself to the eyes 

of others and ask for their

understanding

WELL CAN YOU?

Reviews

[JE Falcon]

Ah, the age-old question that has led me, and others, to religion or the psychologist's couch. With the former one accepts that it was their fault, with the latter, they may be told that it was never their fault, it was one parent or the other. --- Having said all that, I liked the phrasing and the hint at taking control, in question form. --- Well done, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for checking this one out Falcon. Your visits always welcome and appreciated.

Chris

[Patricia]

It is interesting this was next down your list that I was to read after having a long conversation about this very thing yesterday with my hairdresser, we have deep conversations when it takes three hours for a good cut and color ;) but we do wear them, these heavy birds, but they get lighter and when they do- giving and receiving forgiveness becomes easier but such a shame if we come to an end before we do, so it’s important to starve that bird and lighten the load as soon as possible, life is short, a cliché that is never overused. Great writing and advice poetically!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Patricia for digging in the archives. So kind of you. Hope your hair turned out the way you wanted :)

Chris

[Patricia]

You're welcome Chris and yes, my hair came out lovely. I have a wonderful hair dresser and she is so inexpensive I feel like I'm cheating her but she won't take more money, an amazing and beautiful human being and makes me have faith in humanity. Rare woman with total class!

[M. J. Smith]

A searching poem indeed. Our faults more then our virtues make us who we are. More is learned in defeat then in victory.
Nicely written.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for the read and the wisdom in your response.

Chris

[M. J. Smith]

You're welcome, Ma'am.

[shadrach hah]

Hi Chris, now this is indeed a heartfelt write. The answer to your question, yes, I can. I always blame myself first for anything that goes wrong in my life. It has ever been this way. This has been a most interesting write. It poses many questions in my mind and the answer always comes down to yes. Have a wonderful monday. Hugs always....Mike.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for another read Mike. So pleased to find you calling on and appreciating my efforts. All the best always.

Chris

[shadrach hah]

You are always welcome, Chris. I enjoy the reads. Have a wonderful Monday. Hugs always....Mike.

[Kerra H.]

Such an intriguing as well as interesting read here. Who really knows.
I just see the world as myself I guess, which is probably the wrong thing to do.
Perhaps I need to look in a mirror more and examine the little cracks in my life.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Kerra, for stopping by to read. All good wishes.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

Um.....Er........Ahhh......I dunno!!!
Wish U hadn't asked!!!

[Chris Shaw]

Ha. What an honest response Dave. Thanjs fir checking in. Have a great weekend.

Chris

[red93]

An interesting and heartfelt delve into all our Pasts Chris. Now I have studied Reiki, I understand so much more about group dynamics, and how the herd will turn on its perceived weakest members, particularly amongst groups of young people. The answer is, to use a Soccer analogy, to play all your Matches in front of your own Crowd, if I can put it like that. Also, History is for the Winners to rewrite - the Winners do indeed write the Books.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony, for that encouraging revuew. Your thoughts are appreciated. Have a great Sunday my friend in Bristol :)

Chris

[Dylan Macadham]

Yes, I can! and that's my problem! :) I pretty much always blame myself, not others, for past stuff. In my case, it might actually be healthier to blame others more, haha.
If Cringing were an Olympic Sport, I'd be a medalist. Cringes hit me like stray bullets, frequently.
I've learned to live side-by-side with them and, thankfully, function pretty well for the aggravation :)
..."tramlines across your forehead." ! Wow! If Remarkable Snippets were an Olympic sport, you'd be a medalist too Chris!
Bravo!!!

[Chris Shaw]

So we are both Olympic winners. You for cringing and me for remarkable snippets. I also accept blame, mainly for a peaceful life. Can't stand long drawn out standoffs :) Thank you, for both the visit and making me smile.

Chris

[Laz K.]

Uhm, I'm afraid I can't.
If I could - and I'm kind of considering the possibility almost daily - I might not write any more. That, I admit, is a kind of fear I have. It's all very messy...
The question the poem asks is very-very important. It also suggests the answer, the right course of action.
For many, I'm sure, it's like a bolt of lightning that hits them saying, "It is possible!"

[Chris Shaw]

You carry a heavy burden if you can't forgive yourself for actions in the past. However if you think that by doing so it will impact on your creativity, then I can understand your reluctance. Thank you Laz for stopping by with your thoughts.

Chris

[♔ CrownedDevil &#..]

In that moment we do right by ourselves and if anyone opposes that we immediately go into defensive mode. But over time and as we grow older we realise our mistakes and eventually own up to our mistakes and failures. I've never blamed anyone for my mistakes I've always judged myself harshly.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a thoughtful comment. I too am my worse critic :)

read moreThank you for stopping by and leaving a thoughtful comment. I too am my worse critic :)

Chris

[♔ CrownedDevil ☾]

Anytime :) We all are our own worst critic and enemy haha!