Shame and Light
Shame was her best friend growing up
It kept her from telling anyone about herself.
Shame helped her bedwetting become
A well-gaurded family secret.
Shame was her companion
As she struggled with grown up issues
Thrust upon her young shoulders.
Shame was what made her hide
Secrets that were not hers to tell.
Masks are what she wore
Tell her which one you preferred
And she would don it :
Good girl, responsible one
Great friend, good employee….
Shame was what made her secretive
Leading her down dark paths
Causing her to make poor choices
Until she had her own secrets to hide.
Broken
Driven to dark thoughts
Enmeshed in a web of deceit
Unable to make her way out
She begged for light.
Light to show her the way
The light of grace
The knowledge that she was forgiven.
Knowing that she was accepted
Realizing that she was loved
Slowly she made her way out
Into the light.
Letting go of shame
She clung to grace and love
Fears relieved and truth embraced
She chose gratitude as her companion.
Shame derives its power from being unspeakable…If we speak shame, it begins to wither. Just the way exposure to light was deadly for the gremlins, language and story bring light to shame and destroy it. – Brené Brown
Today I’m linking in to the #1Word blog hop hosted by Lisa and Janine. The prompts were ‘shame’ or ‘light’. I decided to cheat and combine both the words for my post. I’m also linking in to #WODW hosted by Mia and Vashelle.
September Blogging Challenge #septemberchallenge
We started yesterday with simple guidelines:
- Commit to writing 5 posts a week.
- Add you link to the linky on my post for the day.
- Comment on my post and 2 other posts linked before yours. If you are the first person to link, then visit the previous day’s post and comment on the last 2 blogs linked there.
- Don’t forget to share the posts you’ve visited on social media using the hashtag #septemberchallenge.
- Reach out to me if you need any assistance.
- Use the button below (optional) in your posts to indicate your participation.
As promised, I have set up a page with Blog Hops and Writings prompts. I’ve also set up your blogs – those that I could find feed urls for – to autotweet your posts every day.
Enjoy writing, connecting and sharing!
Wonderful poem Corinne, very nicely expressed.
Thanks, Mahathi. That was quick! 🙂
Beautiful poem, Corinne. Made me cry and want to hug the person who wrote it. Yes, I am a regular crybaby now and loving it!
Thank you! I’m sure it doesn’t fit the rules of a poem – nor can it be called blank verse, but who cares!
Hugs back! Crying is good for the soul! 🙂
A wonderful poem Corinne….So important to shame the shame by speaking about it and bringing it out in the open…
That’s right, Naba. Makes one feel quite silly when you actually speak it out and find that people do understand.
What a lovely composition Corinne! Very often what we feel ashamed about is not even our own doing… family secrets like you mentioned, marital abuse or even having been exploited at work. And yet, the burden of shame is carried on long and hard…
Thanks, Anks. Like you said, often the victim too feels shame for the crime!
Beautiful words – very eloquently expressed. Yes, light does make shame whither and lose power. The world would be a better place of more people had the strength to voice their inner shame instead of being angry at everyone and doing destructive things. Lovely post – thank you.
Thank you, Gilly.
We often fall into ‘habits of shame’ and find it hard to let go of something we never needed to be ashamed of in the first place!
I worked with a person years ago – bad things had happened to her as a child, and she used bad ways to cope with them. Years later, she tried so hard to change herself and where she was headed, but she ended up trapped by drug addiction. This poem reminded me of her. I wonder if she is still alive, and if she succeeded, finally in leaving shame for the light.
I love how you used both words perfectly and seamlessly here in your poem. Great job, Corinne!!! 🙂
Again a very insightful way of looking at things… and something I perhaps have been doing in some ways without even realizing. I can’t say I am fully free but I know I don’t allow shame to have a total hold over me anymore either
I’m sure you realize that I’ve written about myself, Roshan. Grace over shame, any day!
Nothing like a poem to bring out an emotion. Very well said Corinne. The light of grace when we recognize and accept it is so powerful.
Thank you, Suzy. I wouldn’t want to call this a poem – breaks all rules of form and metre – but I do find this a good way of expressing myself. Grace rocks!
That was beautiful Corinne – I hope that light continues to beat shame! ~ Leanne
I pray for the same thing, Leanne. Thank you!
Such a beautiful poem Corinne…that quote of Brene Brown’s is perfect. When we hide shame, it does take us to dark places…it’s better to be vulnerable and open about it and thereby make connections.
Yes, Sanch. Easier said than done though. I’ve had to work hard on this.
This may be a duplicate comment. I’ve been bouncing back and forth between my husband’s more powerful computer and my laptop, and seem to have lost my place. :O)
I’ve heard it expressed that if you tell people the worst, most embarrassing thing about yourself then nobody can hold it over you.
That’s so true, LuaAnn. There’s no fear when there’s honesty.
No, it’s not a duplicate comment, LuAnn. I hope you’re getting mine too. I keep getting an email telling me of a delivery failure when I comment on your posts.
They’re getting through, Corinne. I’ve had that comment from several people, though, so I should probably see what’s up with that.
As long as you’re getting them, LuAnn.
Wow, you really have a way with words. That was so beautiful, it really made me stop and think! 🙂
Thank you so much, Di.
What timing for me to read this Corinne! I start my classes this week to reconnect with my father’s Catholic roots.. Letting go of the unspeakable and stepping into the Light.. Yes! – Also, my blog post today is all about you. 🙂 You should check it out. 🙂
Are you going for an RCIA programme, Karen?
Thanks so much for the mention and the award. Will take it up soon!
Somehow made me think of my lil’ sister! Poignant poem. Love it!
I would to hear more -not on this platform of course, and only if you’re comfortable, Shalini.
I love this poem and can relate to the girl described in it. I realize too that bringing shame into the open dismantles it.
Thank you, Astrid. I’m glad the post resonated with you. I wrote about myself!
This is filled with so much promise and hope despite the odds. ♥
Glad you saw the hope in it, Kathy!
Shame drives so many aspects of a life that one forgets about living. It is indeed very important to speak up and share, else it will be a lonely path to death. Deep thoughts wonderfully expressed!
You’re so right, Mukulika. Shame can rob us of the joy of living!
Beautiful!
Thank you, Lisa.
Grace and gratitude are powerful warriors that will always defeat shame. We need to trust in them more. Thanks for inspiring me today
You’re so right, Mary. They’ve stood me in good stead. Thanks for visiting!
“She chose gratitude as her companion.” love this. From dark to light your poem flows.. and I like that quote.
Loved your poem so much connection to the darkness in keeping shame silent and so much light when we expose it.
This is such a beautiful poem, Corinne!
I love that quote from Brene Brown. Spot on! I love your words so much. You always share such insight and wisdom with us! I appreciate your writing so much! Thank you for joining us for #WODW. xoxox
I really loved this Corinne. It was so meaningful and beautiful.
What a powerful poem, Corinne. I feel like you wrote this especially for me 🙂 Some shame feels like it can never be spoken about; but like you said, once you utter it, it becomes easier and easier and it sloughs off of you like dead skin. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us, always. <3
I’m glad the poem spoke to you, Shelley. It was very personal.