Celebrate Poetry

This month is National Poetry Month.




I have always enjoyed the rhythm of poetry. I like to read poetry in Braille so I can feel and "see," the way the author intended the syllables to be heard.
In the spirit of celebrating National Poetry Month I will share one of my favorite poems.
When I was in junior high school I had to memorize the poem entitled, "Myself," by Edgar Albert Guest. Each of us struggles with our own demons and in spite of those demons most of us are hoping to experience authenticity and connection with other human beings. To me that is what this poem is about-ones ongoing internal struggle and the innate need for community or authentic connections with others.

Myself by: E. A. Guest
I have to live with myself and so
I want to be fit for myself to know .
I want to be able as days go by
always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don't want to stand with the setting sun
and hate myself for the things I have done .
I don't want to keep on a closet shelf
a lot of secrets about myself
and fool myself as I come and go
into thinking no one else will ever know
The kind of person I really am,
I don't want to dress up myself in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect
I want to deserve all men's respect;
but here in the struggle for fame and wealth
I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know that
I am bluster and bluff and empty show .
I never can hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see;
I know what others may never know,
I never can fool myself and so,
whatever happens I want to be
self respecting and conscience free.