Remembering Me

Can you remember who you were?
Before the world told you who you should be?
I found myself pondering that query:
Can I remember who I was?
Before the world told me who I should be?

Was I happier? Was I courageous? Was I transparent?
I found myself pondering,
Who was I before the world told me who I should be?

"You’re too emotional," emotionless I became.
"You wouldn’t make it," demotivated I became.
"You’re not good enough," my motto it became.
Who should I really blame? Me or the world?

Would I ever be able to recall who I was before society told me my values?
The answer I’ve yet to find.
The person gazing back at me from the mirror,
The little child I had long forgotten stared back at me with hope.
Hope to be resurrected and not locked away.

Can I remember who I was?
Before the world told me who I should be?
Or will I stray even further away and become someone I’m not?

The little child, mustering all the courage I vaguely remember having,
Looked beyond the mirror and into my soul and said,
"Remember who you were before the world got its hold on us.
You were zealous, humble, caring, ambitious, and kind..."
And on and on the little child went.

Standing taller, I remembered who I was before the world told me who I should be.

@ShaWritesPoetry