Recognizing Your Own Personal Growth Through Your Writing

I thought my words were stars, unshaken,
But they were only lamps in mist—
Too bright with pride, too quick to waken,
Too eager for a fleeting tryst.

Now softer rhythms touch the page,
They move like rivers, slow and deep,
A gentleness comes with quiet age,
And truth no longer stirs from sleep.

The vanity of sounding grand
Has slipped like ash between my hands,
I lean instead on earth and sky,
And write the way the roses die.

If I have grown, it is by loss—
By setting down the crown, the gloss,
Until my words are bare, yet whole,
Like light that falls and heals the soul.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

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Daniels Avatar
September 14, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Very beautiful & accurate, James. Fascinating how our poetry grows thru us & we thru our poetry. ThkU for posting. Light your way.
Mclain Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 7:15 AM
We are a vain lot, it's taken me twenty years to write a decent poem. And so I thank you, Ghairo for your kind words. James
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