Lately I’ve been enjoying writing poetry as a way of expressing different thoughts and ideas that come to me. While most of what I write I keep completely to myself, I thought I’d share some of my poetry with you from time to time.
Today’s poem is something I started writing about my own life (as will be evident in a few stanzas) but evolved to cover many situations of people I know and love, as well as how I’ve found myself unfairly looking at others.
When You See Me, What Do You See?
When you see me, what do you see?
Do you see thirty extra pounds,
Or do you see what will one day be fifty?
When you see me, what do you see?
Do you see a tired man,
Or do you see employ’s slavery?
When you see me, what do you see?
Do you see a beer in my hand,
Or do you see debauchery?
When you see me, what do you see?
Do you see a man looking for love,
Or do you see immorality?
Do you see ink in my skin,
Or do you see impropriety?
When you see me, what do you see?
Do you see two divorces,
Or do you see what will one day be three?
When you see me, what do you see?
Do you see my one lie,
Or do you see lifelong dishonesty?
When you see me, what do you see?
Do you see the words I don’t use,
Or do you see only vulgarity?
Do you see me at all
For who I am now?
Or do you see only scraps
Of a life disendowed?
Do you see anything at all
Strong, truthful, or right?
Or do you see only a lifetime
Of struggle and fight?
Do you see more than the things
That you think are wrong?
Do you see anything worth loving
Or bringing along?
When you see me, what do you see?
Do you see what’s here now,
Or do you see how hard life will be?
When you see me, what do you see?
Do you see a man genuine,
Or do you see trickery?
When you see me, what do you see?
Do you see my potential,
Or do you see impossibility?
Do you see parts of yourself?
Is that what makes you so mad?
Do you see what you are not?
Is that what makes you so sad?
When you look through your eyes,
And see only what’s wrong,
You fail to hear
Life’s most beautiful songs.
When you see me, what do you see?
Hopefully, you see me.
And only me.
And not what you fear I will one day be,
Not what you ultimately want me to be,
And not what you wish you yourself could be.
When you see me, what do you see?
Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing
