Being Me

Being Me

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

"...And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32 NKJV)

"Have they gone?"

"Can I take it off now?"

It weighs a tonne, this mask that I wear

It's the only way I know, to hide what I see

Just so I don't have to face me

I had visions of perfection, doing all things right

I shouldn't let the side down

Mustn't give a bad impression of the team

Everyone else, seems to be doing better than me

At least, so it seems

It is hard to tell who is wearing one like me

I could not afford to be me, a price too high to pay

All those tongues wagging and the disapproving looks

From those who had this whole thing, down to a "T"

It was clear to all concerned, that I hadn't done enough

Trying much harder to perform

Earning the right to show up as me

Disappointment lingers on inside

I'm not who they want me to be

So I sport this false accessory

At least I fit in, as longs as I'm not alone with me

My actions showed, me who I was

A memory of who I used to be

The more I look, the more I see

Till I know who I really am

A wonderful creation full of love

Then and only then can my actions fall in line

With the reality at large within me

A human being, not a human doing

Hence, I know, I am, so I do

O what Liberty, I have

From the truth that has set me free

It's Ok just to be Me!!