Individual

I know a lot of people have "misunderstood" poems, but I feel very strongly about the idea of individuality and wrote about it.

Piercing eyes stare constantly

At what they perceive as stupidity,

Maybe even insanity.

But who is the real fool?

The one who goes against the pull

Of the everlasting, social currents?

Or is it they who incessantly judge

Based on nothing

But their own limited understanding?

 

Rude names and jeering calls,

Which appear to be shrugged right off,

Actually slice through to the very heart and soul.

Their dark laughter rings through empty halls

Of their own shallow perceptions,

As the few individuals burst out

Of the chains and cages

That society has bound itself in.

 

A mob mentality, perhaps even tribal instinct,

Takes control of those small- and weakminded people.

In fear of their own flaws and quirks,

They lash out senselessly at anybody

Who, sharing the same individuality,

Frees and embraces it, rather than suppressing

That which makes them truly beautiful.

Author's Note

As always, feel free to critique.

Reviews

[mysticgmekeepr]

GREAT poem, full of relevance and meaning. Always seek your authenticity and the expression of your truth. No matter how painful the lashes of judgment from the fearful sheep of society in the end your willingness to be genuine and true to yourself will bring you peace. We all see the world through the spectacles of our birth and our experiences and we have much to learn and to share from our varied visions.

[Mary Sessions]

Many people must face up to social critique every day, and i believe that you have portrayed this point beautifully. keep it up!

[Wildfleour]

Justin - You wrote an eloquent and passionate poem about those who would like to suppress others' individuality and originality. I offer you one of my favorite quotes to explain how I feel.

Said by Marianne Williamson and used in a speech by Nelson Mandela:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child
of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to
make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."