WOW! I love the journey that you take us on with your heartfelt words. I chuckled at the line 'I'm enough of a character now!' I don't know if it was intended to be funny, but I liked the play on words. I liked the chorus 'why is it always me..?' I thought that was really a good way to break up each section. The 'dragging the broken body into the cave' verse is beautiful. I could relate to the poem's message. I like how the imagery in the beginning has snap shots of 'society' (playing house, babysitting) and the end has more nature-type of imagery (mountains, caves, ect.) I thought that was appropriate. Keep it up! I look forward to reading more...
Why is it always ME that has to take the higher road?
: It started as a child
: Always being told: “grow up, act your age”,
: they would scold.
: What age is that? I wonder now
: To be old at 3, or 4, somehow—
: To look through eyes of elder spirit,
: Though body fresh and yet untrampled.
: Why is it always ME that has to take the higher road?
: When playing house, and doctor/nurse, and
: Cowboys/Indians, and store clerk;
: To always have the answer
: And be The One In Charge…
: To be honorable, trustworthy…large.
: The serious one must be steady
: And grounded
: So that those in Fear find and hold a hand.
: Why is it always ME that has to take the higher road?
: Playing house for real, being maid and babysitter,
: Really little more than a convenient servant.
: “here, have a two dollar transistor radio for
: all your excellent efforts, and don’t talk back, we don’t care
: about your Truth”
: What happens when you raise two children
: before you are grown, and yet are told
: “you are only a child”
: when asking a rational question?
: WHY is it always me that has to take the higher road?
: How can one hold onto the heart
: And keep it from harm
: When it is ripped and trampled
: And displayed as an example of wrong?
: To be tugged forth, and back,
: First loved, then reviled…
: To be then attacked from the Other Side,
: And find no safe harbor at home.
: WHY is it always me that HAS to take the higher road?
: What does not kill us makes us stronger;
: Adversity builds character?
: I am strong enough, and
: Enough of a character now!
: Rise and defend those who are weaker,
: Place oneself as a shield to protect
: Those who snivel in Fear and who would never
: Rise to protect anyone but themselves.
: Why is it ALWAYS ME that HAS to take the higher road?
: Battered and broken, unappreciated and scarred
: From the selfish attacks of those who would escape retribution.
: Knocked to the side of the road, gasping for breath…
: Maybe for the last time.
: Ignored by those who the sacrifice was about,
: Their backs turned and faces averted—
: Maybe if they don’t see, they won’t have to help.
: They will not see the hero has fallen.
: Oh, Woe is ME—WHY is it ALWAYS ME that HAS to take the higher road?
: Dragging the broken body into the cave,
: Heaving the heavy stone across the entrance
: And growling at any who come to offer help—
: Help meant to take, not give, I see now.
: After a while, silence reigns, and then a breath
: Of wholeness is taken, and another
: As a magnificent Light obliterates pain
: And the battered One rises again
: Whoa, it is ME that has to take the Higher Road?
: Scanning the past, learning to live Now
: And surrender the future to the Higher Self;
: How was I to know this Path led to such bliss?
: Who would have thought such pain was a test?
: Head high, garments new, body healed,
: Through and through,
: Pain released, all forgiven, heart shining with Love;
: NOW I am ready for that Path from above!
: It IS Me that has to take the Higher Road!
: I set out to take it, soooooooo long ago;
: The trials and tribulations, and glory
: Run together, to create Karma to guide me
: Every step of the journey.
: The road has been long, and so hard, I thought,
: And now I can see, over the close mountain,
: A glorious destination—or rather, the next glorious step
: Towards the NEXT part of the Journey, the next awesome crest…
: IT IS ME!
: (c) 2006 Valerie Olmsted
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