I let him wipe off my name
He told me to go right away and wipe off my name
He somehow seems to know I’m not meant for fame.
He warns me I’ll have none but myself to blame
As I’m nowhere near enough to win at this game.
Anything I create is destined to be lame
Why even bother when I am sure to miss aim?
My inner creatrix (as per him) I must tame
No-one gives a hoot, no-one cares is his claim.
He’s afraid (he says) my heart the haters will maim
Being the kind one, he offers to set my writings aflame.
With several years of listening to him repeat the same
I’d squeezed myself to fit into his narrowly defined frame.
It’s taking me several more (years) and much work to disclaim
These untruths served to me by the charlatan called shame.
I will not let him shatter me, no longer let him defame
Each step that I take courageously, I will myself acclaim.
And so today, with conviction, I (somewhat softly) proclaim
The space shame shamelessly stole from me, I’m ready to reclaim.
