It took a long while for me to see
That now is the time to be free, to be me.
A daughter, a wife, a mother and friend,
The people I was I can count to no end.

A student, that had to go to schools
And obey the teachers and strict rules.
A daughter, that had to bend and conform
To parents expectations and their norm.

An employee, who's co-workers and boss
would give a nonconformist a quick toss.
A wife, who had to love, honour and obey.
That she would be a slave, they did not say.

A mother, to care for her children and nurture
Little ones, to become good adults in future.
A friend, who is always there for the other,
And never feels anything is a bother.

A neighbor, who is called on at all times,
To listen to others whinges and whines.
Never a thought about what I would love.
I came through it all, with help from above.

Then the thunder struck, and took it all away.
It was the most frightenig, devastating day
The person I was, I did not know,
I felt lost and scared from this great blow.

Then slowly I realized, this is not me.
I never had time to think who I'd be.
All my ambitions and all my dreams
Were burried deep inside me for ever it seems.

So I started to dream and to awaken the self,
To find what I wanted, and not sit on the shelf.
I build me a castle high up in the sky,
And to become myself at last I'll try.

I enter my castle, high up on the rock.
I climb up into the tower, not just to look,
But to soar into the wind, over mountains and sea,
And rejoice in the feeling to be free, to be me.

5 June 2003

Poem and Graphic Art. © E Thomas

Web Set © Skyangel