Out from the Shadows ©

by Jackie Lynaugh

 

“I wasn’t born to spoil under anyone’s shadow

and rot like an unhatched egg

I wasn’t born to follow orders

I wasn’t born for boredom

I wasn’t born to satisfy someone else’s needs

to take care of them

or they take care of me

or hide in their arms

or to be taken for granted

I wasn’t born to follow ideas of what truth is

or to live according to someone's beliefs

or to think along their lines

or to learn their facts

I was born to think independently

I was born to find my own truth

and make my own rules

and find my own way

I was born to meet life full throttle

Walk the Appalachian trails

To be seduced by an alpha male

Kissed a million times

and loved for a thousand years

To meet different faces, travel 

and learn other cultures

Watch the stars at night

Take long walks 

dance on the beach

be swept off my feet

be taken by storm

to be heartbroken

Stunned

Shocked

Devastated

Lost and found again

I was born to get my hands dirty and

plant a garden and watch it grow

To get sand between my toes

Mud on my face

Sand spurs under my feet

I was born to jump into the ocean

Pick up seashells and find starfish

To go beyond time and space

To welcome miracles

To share a wishbone

and make a wish

To totally lose myself

I was born to feel everything

and to experience everything

The bitter taste of sorrow

The foul taste of hatred

The sweet taste of love

I was born to learn how to be grateful

I was born to know the truth

and learn how to give to I have nothing more

To work hard and play hard

To pray

I was born to learn how to speak the language of love and unlock my heart

How to take care of my health

Learn how to let go of all expectations

and let the future unfold like unwrapping a present

I was born to learn how it feels to lose everything

except for the things that matter

I am born to spread my wings 

fly towards the sun

burn into ashes

fall to the earth and rise again

I will be proud of my scars and my wrinkles

My stories

My memories

My wisdom

My freedom

I was born to be free

and time will let me live my

life out from the shadows.”