
©Sascha Darlington
Different
As a child, weird differentiates
Makes you a magnet for unkindness
As a teenager, you hide weird
Try to fit in, go unnoticed
As an adult, if your esteem survives
You let your freak flag fly
You write your words
You paint your pictures
You shrug away scorn
And jealousy and ignorance
You know some people never find themselves
You’ve known yourself all along
Sascha Darlington
10/13/2017
For the prompt of Art in the Wayward Mind from OctPoWriMo
Very positive piece. Nice to read something like this on a Friday that carries the dark omen of the 13th lol. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Thanks! We’ll try to keep a positive Friday the 13th vibe going here. 🙂
Fly the freak flag, indeed. You are so right about some never finding themselves. Love the poem!
Thanks so much! My flag’s flying today! 🙂
I really like the image and your poem.
Thank you! 🙂
From one freak flag waver to another – I LOVE THIS! It is such a relatable tale – trying to fit in, trying to hide, until coming into our own truth and not just owning, but celebrating our differences! YES!
Thank you! I think all of us creative people go through something similar.
As a teenager, I wore weird on my sleeve. The rumors about me would have made for a great movie!
In adulthood, I’ve gone back to passing for normal. I am, however, not normal.
Which is more fun?
Have you ever written about your teenage years?
The fun of being lost in your own world, all the stages of growing up. All summed up in this nice few words.
Thanks, James. I think. To think of life being reduced to a few words…. 🙂
Great poem. Love the line about letting your “freak flag show.”
Thanks, Mandi! I like to think we all reach the point where we’re not afraid to let it go!