My part to play
Is a small one
In my own life
But significant in others
To help them rise
To help them grow
To help them fulfil
Their dreams
Their goals
Their successes
While I stash mine away
In one corner
Never to be harnessed
Never to be considered
Never to be a bother to anyone
I sit here crying
Stamping on my own dreams
Letting everyone else
Make theirs come true instead
Duty
Responsibilities
Love
They hold themselves high
While I look down low
Focusing my eyes on the ground
So I don’t float
Don’t let my imagination soar
Don’t let my successes be seen
Quiet
Quietly achieve what I want
For nobody to see
For my own sanity
But I crave
I crave for validation
For a thumbs up
For a “good job!”
For a “wow!”
And yet nothing from them
Just from me
To myself
And for others
So they know they are loved
They know they are important
They know I want them to rise.
---
www.manishadhalani.com
About the Creator
Manisha Dhalani
Content writer and marketer helping solopreneurs achieve organic growth. Loves reading, eating cake, and having insightful conversations.
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Comments (6)
This hit me so hard became it was extremely relatable! But I'm slowly learning to put myself first and that it is okay to say NO and set boundaries as well. Loved your poem!
Wow, great job, Manisha. And I'm not just saying that because you've indicated it's something you would like to hear. You have managed to express & connect with the experience of so many, most often but not exclusively women, in an achingly powerful way. That kind of suppressed longing for the sake of others, out of a sense of responsibility &/or duty. I mean it when I say, "Wow, great job!"
Some parents feel like this I bet. Some parents guilt trip their kids and manipulate them. Could even be an unappreciated house wife
Sounds like the work of a mother or wife....full of feeling. Very well done
This is so wonderful. I love your work. I think many do this and feel the same way and you turned it into a real voice in the world, in a poem.
Both well written and depressing- sign of a good poem!