Give me the strength to
Stop
Putting myself in positions
Where I must beg to be
Loved

Knees forward,
Crawling

Give me the strength to
Go
Throwing myself into positions
Where I become
Love

Shoulders back,
Growing

I wrote “growing” after realizing I had a rather unhealthy habit of choosing what does not choose me. I was tired of the cycle of pouring myself into something, hoping to receive reciprocation, only to be dissapointed again and again. I felt like I was throwing myself at people and things, just begging for breadcrumbs of affection, love, respect. Was being loved the way I wanted so much to ask for? I was inspired in my heartbreak to write “growing”, to remind myself not to beg for love, but instead become love. I hope this poem inspires you to stop begging, and start growing, too.

“growing” was featured in the 2019-2020 edition of West Georgia Technical College’s student art magazine, VOICES. You can view the feature here: https://www.westgatech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/VOICES-2019-2020.pdf

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