This is another addition to the series of poems entitled ‘The Same Stories – (Blessing / Outlet)‘. There wasn’t a specific song that inspired this one. However, without much searching you’ll be able to find a lyric that deals with the subject matter.
Those who search for more or endeavor to accomplish more are usually able to tell a story that relates back to parenting, childhood or most often both. Also, they can relate it to how these events shaped who they became or will become. How I’ve interacted with my mother has been a key to assessing my ‘Growth’. Not so much how we communicate but what we communicate about. One such line of conversation is the recurring topic of being a single mother and the ramifications of that scenario. The effort of trying to understand what that means to her has allowed me to be more sympathetic to my environment and be more acquainted with the females around me.
This is one way to interpret that ‘Growth’ but there are many stories and conclusions that can be drawn from the piece which reflects the diversity in outcomes that is life itself. I do believe, however, that how we interact with women is a very important tool in the healing and upliftment of any community. Articulating this hopefully allows the reader to draw from their personal experiences. After reflecting they may allow themselves to see the true struggle of the females they come in contact with along with possible reasons for seemingly uncharacteristic behaviour.
I can tell you my story
I can tell you my name
But there’s a lot of people
Who can tell you the same
Feeling the shame
For doing what others do
When they’re searching for fame
I ask my mother
Was it worth it
She always says yes
Even when it hurt a bit
But it only sounds good in a song
It’s not far from right
It’s just not my story
And I’m probably telling it wrong
It was maybe more like
Can I keep it
Do I need it
Can I feed it
How are they going to see me
When they see it
But she always said
None of that mattered
At the day of my birth
She prayed that I would
Have wisdom
Good health and good looks
For what it was worth
And GOD had to listen
Because there wasn’t a day
She didn’t take me to church
But I already told you
The meaning of blessings on earth
I can tell you my story
I can tell you my name
But there’s a lot of people
Who can tell you the same
Feeling the shame
For doing what others do
When they’re searching for fame
I was young when she left
To make a better life
In the process trying to become a better wife
Supposed to make things better
Right
But I was destined to outlive the hype
Was it worth it
I hope it hurt a bit
That just sounds good in a song
Not far from right
But I’m quoting me wrong
When I saw her again
I was just happy I still had me a mom
And two sisters coming along
They can take all the credit
For keeping me strong
Because of them
I can show the women I meet
The meaning of charm
Comfort and warmth
When I do all I can
To keep them from the meaning of harm
Even from me
And they’ll let you be warned
I can tell you my story
I can tell you my name
But there’s a lot of people
Who can tell you the same
Feeling the shame
For doing what others do
When they’re searching for fame
The type of life
That brings you much pain
So I ask my mother
Was it worth it
Even when I said and did things
That hurt a bit
To grow a seed
Nurtured it
See what it became
And wished that you murdered it
She doesn’t see the choice
And act like she never heard of it
And these aren’t just words for a song
She lets me know she sees all of my wrongs
Above that she sees the strain
And if it was possible
She would wish it away
And her love was unconditional
Since she saw me that day
Leaves me with tears
And nothing to say