This Poem was Submitted By: Nancy Ann Hemsworth On Date: 2006-08-05 21:00:57 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Colour Choices

I realize that I was, and still am at times, one of those people wishing for a better life,  the definition unknown sometimes varied and always blurred. I have spent years just waiting for what?  Something that was just going to magically transform my life or that special person to come along and rescue me?  I bet you have been there? Standing on the side of your road waiting for your knight  in shinning armor.Problem being  all knights tend to tarnish along with childhood fairy tales.  So I have decided to put those children’s books back on the top shelf and go revisit the library.  The one thing I know for sure is I am not alone along this path.  Stumbling over all the if onlys and the what ifs.  My greatest regret now a days is in all the time I spent tripping over wanting to be somewhere else  on my life’s path and yes, even wishing I was anyone else but me,  insignificant, unattractive, unlovable me!!  So there I stood, still longing for answers, wishing for spiritual enlightenment,  for an awakening. All along too dam scared to turn on the light and see it all  right there in front of me.  If only I had chosen to open my eyes and my heart and not given into the fear.  The fear of ridicule, of rejection, of change.  For change is so frightening isn’t it? We long for it, but it is that first giant step along the way,  that starting point that is the doozy!  I have figured out not too long ago that we all live in our own reality  and can paint it with the colours that we choose.  That we are free to pick from two basic colour pallets.  The first one vibrant with colours of life. Rainbow colours of excitement,  of openness, eagerness and love.  That box of paints we were given as children.  For then we took them eagerly, innocently, without fear and gladly drew freehand  upon the world without a second thought  until the one day we were told to grow up and found out  that there are borders that were to be established and maintained.  That was the time we stopped colouring outside the lines leaving the magic behind.  The second colours are ones of a darker pallet, submerged in grayed down shades of sadness,  solitude, despair, the blues of melancholy and bondage and the dark wrenching reds of regret.  I am learning to choose my colours carefully now, patiently, gingerly, for the portrait  I wish to display to this world not only effects this painter but all who look upon it. My wish is that my canvas be an never ending work of art.  One that will be appreciated for its uniqueness and for its multi layered hues.  A mix of shades, some subtle and soft, some dark, some light, others vibrant and bold,  with many smudged outside the lines.  Life is such a study in complexity and balance but it is my life to live  and live it I shall. Free to be me, to make my mistakes, learn my lessons  and to love and believe in what and whom I wish.  For I want to be able to stop at the end of this life, hang my canvas and be proud of what I see,  that one of a kind masterpiece that is really me!  I need to be sure in the knowing that when I leave this Earth,  somewhere along my life’s path,  I have managed to leave many strokes of vivid colour on the people I have touched along my way. 

Copyright © August 2006 Nancy Ann Hemsworth

Additional Notes:
this is a prose piece..essay like ..hope this is ok to post on sight. I had to break up the lines this way for it to seen within the window. and also the word "colours" is spelled the Canadian way..eh!! LOL..


This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2006-08-12 14:56:49
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Nancy, An ardious undertaking of quite some magnitude here, very heart felt. I've enjoyed your vivid verbiage and the wanderings of your mental paths, have rode many of those waves myself. I'm am quite sure that you will be leaving inumerable strokes of vivid colour on the people you've touched along your way, especially this person. It has been a pure pleasure in getting to know you through your writing, we are so honored to have you entrust us with such intimate and close felt writings, thank you. warmest always, Lora


This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2006-08-09 13:54:51
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Dear Nancy Ann, There was so much thought put into this piece. I don't mind the structure at all - I like prose, and I've read some very good lines - intense ideas throughout this whole piece. In restrospect a self reflection, delving into the spaces where life could have been fulfilled - something different, perhaps more fulfilling than what you think you've truly achieved. I myself, count my blessings - lived alot of this write - and still had no magical moment that made me feel I had created a masterpiece - but I don't feel cheated - I feel blessed, to have done what I have done in my life. Some that stood out among other parts of this write: Standing on the side of your road waiting for your knight in shinning armor.Problem being all knights tend to tarnish along with childhood fairy tales. Great thought - definitely true - I stopped looking along time ago, lol. Great message in "we are free to choose - the more vibrant exciting way, or the conservative gray way", each to our own liking. I really liked this - because it says so much to the reader - gives us time to reflect on our own lives gives us pause, and perhaps show someone another way of thinking. Good luck with this. Denimari
This Poem was Critiqued By: Turner Lee Williams On Date: 2006-08-09 11:10:00
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Nancy--This write is retrospectic/introspective and may find much company at TPL. Let those who have not gone through some of these stages at one time(day-dreamed/fantasized/or set the bar too high) cast the first stone. In my opinion, an excellent twist/turn indicated by speaker's epiphany and maturity; "I have figured out not too long ago that we all live in our own reality and can paint it with the colours that we choose." "I need to be sure in the knowing that when I leave this Earth, somewhere along my life’s path, I have managed to leave many strokes of vivid colour on the people I have touched along my way." I find this a redeeming and admireable offering and well worth the time spent perusing it. Thanks for the open imagery. TLW
This Poem was Critiqued By: Jennifer j Hill On Date: 2006-08-08 06:38:57
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Hi Nancy, I don't know what anyone elses take on this prose will be, but I say leave it here to bloom like a colorfilled blossom in a beautiful painting. I like the title. I can relate well to the same fears you mention and the whole concept of leaving your love behind in others. I know how many years of my life I wasted on waiting for someone to rescue me. I was pitifully shallow, short sighted and self centered and thought of myself as a victim. I like the concept of the light/dark colors and how you compare them to our emotions. I enjoyed this prose/essay. Thank for sharing it with us TPLer's. Best, Jennifer
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