“Identity Crisis” by Tom Fedro
not the self image
nor the face worn in public
but the you God knows
(originally posted December 2013)
Self-Discovery
All posts tagged Self-Discovery
Emblem of The Bildungsroman Project
catholic catechist
landing the lessons of faith
upon adolesced ears
sacramental instruction
ritual secrets revealed
doctrine drawn upon
still pristine canvas
charts limned with the
ancient laid paths to salvation
a boy on new knees in old pews
turning round in his mind
the curricular scripture
the sacred traditions
the solemn-most teachings
of rote magisterium
blessings of knowledge
his father’s blunt questions
his mother’s devotions
new minted emergent adult
pulls away from his grace
carries into a secular world
an agnostic propensity
walking a wilderness
three decades deep
come to find on the other side
peace with a boyhood religion
still holding his soul in its hands
“Breathing”
Painting by agnes-cecile
From deviantart.com
truth ensues trial
a test of the taste
for discovery
sniffed from the
sweat-soured air
with acrid resolve
inhaled challenge
the impetus force
for an introspect
contest a skirmish
within lungs of
conscience who
hold the sweet
gasiform prize of
authentic identity
once and for well
understood and
accepted allowing
an exhale of ease
“Finding Yourself in the World”
Painting by Steve Hanks
At brooksartprints.com
lean into life
like a runner
engages
stiff headwinds
chase after
its promise
of fullest
potential
the psychical
riches untold
and awaiting
use opportune
falters
to regain
your breath
to refocus
but point your
chin forward
forget where
you’ve been
take no notice
of where
you are now
hold on only
one vision
of where
you can be
with the grail
of success
in your well
deserved grasp
but be warned
should you pause
from your speed
and distract
from your quest
just to stop
and smell roses
it might
very well
wind up giving
you cause
to abandon
your race
and be happy
enjoying the
ground where
you stand
feeling fully
content with
the person
that you
have become
needing nothing
beyond what
you already have
and in fact
may have had
from the start
Photo from shoutitforlife.com
you seekers of self
as they take you down
from their keepsake shelf
ask what others think
when they think of you
their thoughts are the chest
holding your treasure
bright gold or mean brass
know you still have time
for some alchemy
Poesy plus Polemics 