A letter to my former self
Sanaa -
March 15, 2018
Earlier PoemsPoetry

Dear former self

When a rosy sunset kisses the begrudging
sky, I think about the burden you carry in
your heart, oblivious of the time that lies
ahead.

Before you learn what candour really is,
you must look deep into the eyes of the
world. You must let go of preconceived
notions and be open to reality that longs
to elucidate.

Your life is yours alone don’t let darkness
dictate to which you otherwise wouldn’t
submit, before you discover what valour
really is you must plunge into the depths
of desolation like a swirling leaf floating
calmly on water.

Sometimes when you will wonder how
things could be, remember that the best
interruptions take place in the middle
of one’s journey. You must learn to live
in the moment and restrain from worry-
ing too much about the future.

In life the hardest step we take is one which
leads to loving ourselves. I can picture you
through your forlorn eyes and hope that one
day you’ll understand that everything that
happens in life ultimately shapes us into the
person we are meant to be.

Yours truly ~

 

Photo credits: Jolygram

Also linking to Leo & Reema’s WednesdayVerses

Posted On ‘Dear Poems’ Challenge @ Real Toads

& Posted on the ‘Poetry Pantry’ @ Poets United

62 Responses

  1. Manicddaily says:
    March 15, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    All very true but hard to follow! Thanks for the inspiration, Sanaa, and for participating in the prompt. All the best, k.

    Reply
  2. Jim says:
    March 15, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    In times like this we all might put our feelings and plans for recovery on paper. Write it down and carry it with us to use as encouragement at times we are down. I’m wondering what the professionals take on this would be. Their guidance could be helpful.
    ..

    Reply
  3. gillena says:
    March 16, 2018 at 5:00 am

    A look back for analysis of growth is always good.

    Nice write Sanaa

    Much🌼love

    Reply
  4. Kim M. Russell says:
    March 16, 2018 at 5:04 am

    I wonder how your former self would answer this inspirational letter, Sanaa! I especially love:
    ‘Before you learn what candour really is,
    you must look deep into the eyes of the
    world…’
    and
    ‘… remember that the best
    interruptions take place in the middle
    of one’s journey’.

    Reply
  5. Rosemary Nissen-Wade says:
    March 16, 2018 at 6:11 am

    What a great letter! Your present self has clearly learned much. Your former self, sadly, must have had to struggle and endure the challenging times without this wise advice. She made it anyway! (Or perhaps our mature, wise souls – or “Higher Selves” – are always within, guiding us.)

    Reply
    • Sanaa says:
      March 16, 2018 at 1:37 pm

      Aww gosh!❤️ Thank you so much, Rosemary 😀 so glad you liked it!❤️

      Yes our ‘Higher Selves’ are always within, guiding us along the way!

      Reply
  6. kaykuala says:
    March 16, 2018 at 8:27 am

    everything that
    happens in life ultimately shapes us into the person we are meant to be.

    Ultimately yes! One decides and influences one’s own destiny!

    Hank

    Reply
  7. kanzensakura says:
    March 16, 2018 at 10:01 am

    A most inspirational letter to your future self. The last paragraph is wonderful.”In life the hardest step we take is one which leads to loving ourselves.” So very true.

    Reply
  8. Sherry Blue sky says:
    March 16, 2018 at 10:53 am

    There is a lot of life wisdom in this poem, especially the closing stanza.

    Reply
  9. Reema Dsouza says:
    March 17, 2018 at 8:22 pm

    This is so true! But we often forget this. Loved the poem. Thanks for linking up with #WednesdayVerses 🙂

    Reply
  10. Bjorn says:
    March 18, 2018 at 5:14 am

    It’s so hard to love yourself, and stop midstep and breathe, yet that’s the only thing that really works

    Reply
  11. Sanch @ Sanch Writes says:
    March 18, 2018 at 5:33 pm

    That’s a lovely letter with a wonderful message. I loved the prose-like form of the poem and yet the rhythm and beats made it flow really well.

    Reply
  12. Thotpurge says:
    March 18, 2018 at 6:42 pm

    If only one could live through innocence with the hindsight of experience.. but that’s not how it works, is it!

    Reply
  13. Laura Bloomsbury says:
    March 18, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    each stanza is a spoonful of tender advice – you have learned the lessons well since you can write without much regret or traces of bitterness

    Reply
  14. Rommy says:
    March 18, 2018 at 9:08 pm

    I think many of us can relate to the feeling of wanting to reach back and hug our younger selves during some of the difficult times we have been through.

    Reply
  15. Magaly Guerrero says:
    March 18, 2018 at 9:14 pm

    Bits of your poem are a letter every one of us can use, when we were younger and now. Ills fed darkness is never a good foundation. That’s a message I wish was rooted deep in our DNA.

    Reply
  16. gillena says:
    March 18, 2018 at 9:47 pm

    Happy Sunday Sanaa, thanks for dropping in at my Sunday Standard today

    much love…

    Reply
  17. Donna@LivingFromHappiness says:
    March 18, 2018 at 11:10 pm

    Oh perfect letter to a younger self….how I wish i could go back and let her know these truly wise words!

    Reply
  18. Magical Mystical Teacher says:
    March 18, 2018 at 11:11 pm

    The hardest step is always worth taking, isn’t it? 😉

    Reply
  19. Sherry Blue sky says:
    March 18, 2018 at 11:55 pm

    Back from the Pantry for another read……i love those opening lines.

    Reply
  20. Julian says:
    March 19, 2018 at 12:27 am

    Interesting from a psychological point of view, I would imagine. Still I did enjoy reading your piece.

    Reply
  21. Neeraj Khanka says:
    March 19, 2018 at 12:33 am

    A beautiful letter, Sanaa ! I am sure you must be very proud now with all the experiences and learnings of life.

    Reply
  22. Rall says:
    March 19, 2018 at 1:00 am

    You cannot worry too much about the future.Everything is for a reason.You will be empowered to deal with everything that is thrown at you. Nice letter.

    Reply
  23. Anna :o] says:
    March 19, 2018 at 2:59 am

    What a wonderful truth in your words.
    Live for the thrill of today, for it might be the last day we have.
    Help and love others – but yes, we must love ourselves first, not through vanity, but the glow we find in our hearts.
    Hurt no-one deliberately, but be big enough to say Sorry if you do so unintentionally.
    Anna :o]

    Reply
  24. Mary says:
    March 19, 2018 at 4:28 am

    I really like this poem, Sanaa. So introspective and yet so forward-looking sometimes we really have to talk to ourselves seriously. This poem does just that! This one is a keeper.

    Reply
  25. Susie Clevenger says:
    March 19, 2018 at 5:05 am

    It is tough to get real with one’s self at times, but to speak honesty, and hope to the spirit within is truly a blessing.

    Reply
  26. Wendy Bourke says:
    March 19, 2018 at 6:25 am

    A stunning piece of writing , with a wise, and tenderly penned, close.

    Reply
  27. ZQ says:
    March 19, 2018 at 7:34 am

    That was a great piece with encouragement!
    I have been sitting down and talking to the old bird (myself) : )
    ZQ

    Reply
  28. Susan says:
    March 19, 2018 at 8:10 am

    Wow!
    “. . . remember that the best
    interruptions take place in the middle
    of one’s journey.”
    I’ve written 2 letters to myself lately, like you, trying to remember what I know as I “Journey Toward Wholeness.”

    Reply
  29. Vivian Zems says:
    March 19, 2018 at 8:39 am

    The hardest step is definitely one to start loving ourselves. A beautiful write.

    Reply
  30. Colleen LOOSELEAFNOTES says:
    March 19, 2018 at 12:53 pm

    The best interruptions, indeed. I love the signature, Yours Truly.

    Reply
  31. dsnake1 says:
    March 19, 2018 at 1:17 pm

    what an interesting letter to your former self. so much truth in those words. one of my favourites from your writings. 🙂

    Reply

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