Unique
“If everyone else jumped off a bridge,
would you jump too?
You need to be yourself, be unique.
To your own self, be true.”
“Why do you have that wild, purple hair?
Don’t you want to fit in?
People are laughing at you.
Don’t you care?”
It seems to me there’s a fine line
between fitting in and standing out.
Sometimes it takes a lifetime
to know what life is all about.
We struggle to make our marks;
to be our own best selves,
because we all want to be special
...just like everyone else.
***********
My book giveaway ends tomorrow. If you haven't yet entered for a chance to win a copy of my book, Rainbow Chaser, you still have time. Please read my previous post here for details on how to enter. Feel free to tell your friends about the giveaway too. Good luck!
Indeed, I do think it takes age to gain the wisdom that being unique is okay. Do no harm to others, but it's okay to follow the circuitous route - be that square peg. I do like your final stanza
ReplyDeleteI think hair color is one thing, but those big black plugs in ear lobes are worse than permanent tattoos.
ReplyDeleteLove this one Daisy. Hope you're enjoying this cold weather. A Big Congrats on your new book.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love that last line!
ReplyDeleteHow beautifully you clinched it in the last line. Our need to be special is also because everyone wants to be special!
ReplyDeleteIt's all about a good balance... Be yourself --but don't try to stand out...... Great read, Connie.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
I say stand out and be yourself... I do it with my purple highlights... I wish I could have done that when I was younger... The older you get, the less you care what others think... Love you poem Connie xox
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful poem! Wise words to live by!
ReplyDeleteI like this - ... Always gives me a chuckle when someone tries to be so different that they follow fads that someone else has laid out before them - purple hair, etc. i remember always wanting to fade into the woodwork (because i was taller than other girls years ago - not cool)... i still would rather go unnoticed which is easy now that i'm in my 60's - even if i put my best self forward who would notice, lol. Cute and true poem.
ReplyDeleteTRUE ! Although I actually considered blue streaks for my hair, my family all protested. You're right, there is a fine line and sometimes this means walking on the side of the fine line you know the ones who truly love you desire. Because they love me, it matters. So that shows your last line is the perfect ending to this poem.
ReplyDeleteYes, so true. I'm still trying to figure things out. It takes a lifetime . . .
ReplyDeleteThe hair at the nape of my neck is pink. :-) Dark, rich pink.
ReplyDeletePeople always seem surprised.
Pearl
I love the way you worded the last stanza. It's an ironic truth that we all want to be unique, all of us.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're well, Connie.
Terrific poem! You speak the truth, and do it well. It's always struck me as funny when people who strive to be "different" end up looking like they were created with the same cookie cutter.
ReplyDeleteLove this poem. It's not only fun but right on true. Hugs and wishes for a great weekend Connie.
ReplyDeleteA great poem,Connie
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
And all of us are truly Unique, each in our own special way, Connie.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for weighing in. No offense was intended toward anyone who has an unusual color of hair or has done anything else to make themselves stand out or blend in. I've been on both sides of that fence of trying to be my own person and at the same time trying to fit in with the crowd. I agree with Launna, that the older I get, the less I care about what others think, and I just try to do what I think is best. Thanks for the kind words, everyone. :)
ReplyDeleteNo jumping off the bridge for me, I'd relish be the last person standing on the bridge and enjoying the beauty of the world around me and precious taste of being alive.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent poem, Connie. It sure makes a lot of good sense. We are all special in our own ways.
ReplyDelete