Persistance

Posted on February 27, 2022 by purplepeninportland 
Written for:  Friday Writings #15 - "After" Another

When you write a poem heavily influenced by another poem you always acknowledge it with the word ‘after’ and the original poet’s name.

One also sometimes sees, ‘After Reading [name of a specific poem or book] by [poet’s name].' This seems to be when the new poem is a response to the original but not so ‘heavily influenced’ – or when the material read is not just one particular poem.

"If you would like to try a prompt this week, I invite you to re-read a favourite piece of writing, which may be poetry or prose, allow yourself to be inspired by it and share the results with us. We would also like to know, please, ‘after’ whom, or ‘after reading’ what – even if you are working in prose. (You may tell us in a subtitle or a note.)"


(After "Still I Rise" ~ Maya Angelou)

Many of us create
our own obstacles.
Overcoming can be
overwhelming.  I do not
know how I reached
this age.  Never 
expected it.

And still, I persist.

While it is true
I rebelled against
whatever I could,
underneath was a girl
of low self-esteem,
seemed I would never 
be capable of making
it on my own, or being
fully grown.

And still, I persist.

Through panic attacks,
suicidal thoughts,
and relationship endings,
I repeatedly moved
through, and past.  Some
years were good; others
difficult.  I believed
most people were able
to progress smoothly 
through life, regardless 
of hardships.  Now is a time
of great hardship and un-
certainty for me.  I cry, I scream.

And still I persist.

https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/

About purplepeninportland

I am a freelance poet, born and bred in Brooklyn, New York. I live with my husband, John, and two charming rescue dogs–Marion Miller and Murphy. We spent eight lovely years in Portland, OR, but are now back in New York. My goal is to create and share poetry with others who write, or simply enjoy reading poetry. I hope to touch a nerve in you, and feel your sparks as well.
This entry was posted in Purple's Home and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

18 Responses to Persistance

  1. Sadje says:
    February 27, 2022 at 2:05 am

    What an inspiring poem to courage Sara

    Like

  2. poetrybydebi says:
    February 27, 2022 at 2:26 am

    I’m sorry this is a difficult time for you, Sara. Keep persisting and come forth strong and confidant as you deserve to be. Your voice and Maya’s echo together.

    Like

  3. Jim says:
    February 27, 2022 at 4:42 am

    I’m with you, Sara, I never expected. “I do not know how I reached this age.
    Never expected it.” When Mrs. Jim and I were married we thought that our age
    reaching 25 years would be super. Now, this Thursday reaching 49, we have
    hopes for 50. Hardships, we’ve several, I hope yours will get easier to bear as
    time goes on. Ours has.
    ..

    Like

  4. Helen Dehner says:
    February 27, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    The idea many waltz thru life unscathed I have shared as well … I know better now, am wiser now. Your poem digs deep, is honest and speaks to strength, not weakness.

    Like

  5. revivedwriter says:
    February 27, 2022 at 11:59 pm

    “I do not
    know how I reached
    this age. Never
    expected it.”

    Poetry snaps for that. ❤ ❤ ❤

    Like

  6. magicalmysticalteacher says:
    February 28, 2022 at 2:45 am

    Persistence moves us along, or at least keeps us from sliding back, as our journey continues. Thanks for this poem. It’s inspiring.

    Like

  7. Rosemary Nissen-Wade says:
    March 1, 2022 at 3:56 am

    A great source of inspiration, and your own piece is similarly indomitable.

    Like

  8. Rall says:
    March 1, 2022 at 1:46 pm

    Yep…me too. It’s getting harder to persist !

    Like

Comments are closed.