Time to Rewrite

I remember
way back into my childhood

I would laugh and smile
with friends I did not like

I would engage with people
who had wronged me

I forgave people
who never apologized

I thought fake smiles and gritted teeth
was normal

This normalcy carried into adulthood
people pleasing

Staying in broken, neglectful,
abusive relationships

Only now do I realize,
it was never normal

and it's time to rewrite

About This Poem

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Region, Country: USA - Georgia, USA

Favorite Poets: Lord Alfred Tennyson, Robert Frost, Allen Ginsberg, Walt Whitman , Misha Collins, John Donne

Comments

neopoet

6 months 3 weeks ago

Neopoet AI 5-29-23 version

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Rula

6 months 3 weeks ago

That was kinda different from anything I read before in this theme. I think the last verse is so deep and wise.
The lesson might be hard, but you've got it, hopefully before it's too late.
I really enjoyed reading this one.
Thank you for sharing.

Kristen H.

6 months 3 weeks ago

Thank you,

so much, Rula! I appreciate your kind words!

Geezer

6 months 3 weeks ago

We all...

have those "fake" friends and acquaintances. Depending on who they are and what they mean in our lives, we can either ignore the pain of it or just drop them so that they don't affect our lives too much. I liked the brevity, the sparse lines, and the honesty. ~ Geezer.
.

Kristen H.

6 months 3 weeks ago

Thank you,

very much, Geezer. Unfortunately, some people come into our lives only briefly, just for a season or two. Sometimes, those relationships are the ones that mean the most. Thank you for your kind words!

Michael Anthony

6 months 3 weeks ago

Very powerful piece Kristen.

Very powerful piece Kristen. The last line, in particular, does an excellent job of exposing your intent to grow and change the behaviors that have negatively impacted you - well done!

Best

Kristen H.

6 months 3 weeks ago

Thank you,

very much, Michael Anthony. Sometimes, growth is all we can strive for. There is no forward movement in life without first having the intent to grow and change behaviors.