On the trail
I listen to the bird song
I sit on a rock here for centuries
Solid, indestructible
Waiting for travelers who reach this height.
I think of writers’ groups where words were imposed.
Tess told me to say “apple” tree instead of “pear”.
I changed it to get her approval.
But it was a pear tree.
I changed it back.
Those days are gone.
I do not want critics to tell me what to say.
Now I use my words.
This is the way I will live,
Seeing my vision,
Using my words.
I can lead myself through the desert.
I don’t need a guru
Or a spiritual leader to do it for me.
What value if someone else told me where to go?
I want my own vision – I want my own words.
I will not be dictated to.
The very air I breathe is free.
I am free.
“She who knows and knows that she knows is wise.”
I know.
And if I don’t know
I can find out.
Let me trust to my own intuition.
Let me trust to my own instinct.
Let me follow my voice
To its own true goal.
–Susan Schefflein
6/25/05
© 2005 S. Schefflein All Rights Reserved
2 comments:
Susan,
I enjoyed your focus on the notion of wanting to speak for onesself. The dynamic of the writing group--any group, not this one--is a peculiar one ripe for treatment. But of course that is just one aspect of speaking for onesself. I like the stanza re/ knowing, esp. ''I can find out''.....
Susan, this poem has been haunting me ever since you posted it...I find lines coming back to me, at random times during the day, "But it was a pear tree. I changed it back." And "I want my own vision..my own words" These lines have a lot of meaning for me. Thank you for this poem.
Liz
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