In 2006 I took a creative writing course and in it I had this brief - self-introduction. Choose a fantastic style such as poetical or sixteenth century Old English; Southern Belle, science-fiction, journalistic news report, stage or screen-play – whatever appeals to you.
I chose poetical:
Can I break this fragile shell,
rules and accepted behaviours in which I dwell.
Can I summon courage, strength to break out
to add water and life to constant drought.
I lift my voice, with my very being I roar
because in the heavens is my need to soar.
Restrictions, controls, governed only by me,
taut steel bands, have long lost their key.
Time has been my ally, my friend
experience toughening, building muscles of intent.
Crack! Each small endeavour is another step
toward fate or freedom an appointment kept.
Life's struggles are greeted as a familiar now
understanding finally their teaching power.
Straining, stretching, striking, strong
I PUSH, one mighty final act, one irreversible, wailing song.
Bleak, black, haunted, faint hearted,
can't stop this crushing event I've started
my life broken -
thoughts, feelings, hurts left unspoken,
lines drawn, relationships withdrawn,
the fabric of old life asunder torn.
Emerging, new, vulnerable, clean,
leaving, left, new life, new fields to glean.
Flexing wings weak yet to fly,
struggling, unsure, face to face with I.
Seeing, feeling, raw, unshielded,
vulnerable, all previous knowns yielded,
gathering self, moulding gently,
soothing regret, forgiving, let free
like a phoenix from the ashes rising,
opening options, gaining new horizons.
My choices, my culture, my rules, my consequences,
have I grown up finally, leapt the fences
Absorbing new thought and opening my mind
anxious to embrace humankind,
I greet each day happily, eager for experience
draw to me peace and calm ambience.
If I can live this way, resist returning
to past behaviours of asset storing, stature yearning,
cherishing the simple, basic, unaffected,
smelling the roses, smiles reflected;
perhaps those knowing me may say at the end
I am glad she was my friend.
She lived as she died, in joy, independent
loving life and people, unrepentant.
