Why were you so hard on yourself?
The things you could not forgive.
You were young, you didn’t always know
The best way to live.
Why were you so hard on yourself?
Your shoulders weren’t that wide
Yet you carried it all as if you owned it
That was so unwise.
Why were you so hard on yourself?
Instead of having fun.
You could have danced through those times
Instead, you were overrun.
Why were you so hard on yourself?
The blame was not all yours
You were not meant to carry it
You weren’t meant to fight those wars
Why were you so hard on yourself?
If only you had known
You could have been carefree
You wouldn’t have felt so alone
Why were you so hard on yourself?
Maybe it’s the question that is wrong.
The past cannot be changed
You should have looked forward all along.
©2022 Kymber L. Hawke
booomcha.com
Featured Photo: Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay
41 comments
love it!
Thank you, Jonathan. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Sounds like something I could have said to my younger self! <3
My poems aren’t always about me, but this one definitely was. 🙂
You write what you know best. The shame is most of mine ARE about me! Unless I can springboard off somebody else’s post or see something locally. 😀
LOL I totally know what you mean. 🤍🌺
Aye-yup. <3 😀
AWWW <3 I always look back at my pics and feel sorry for “that” girl ..he had no idea how dumb she was LOL
LOL That’s definitely how I feel, too. lol
I relate to this poem a lot. But I guess I have time still to say this used to be my youngest self, hopefully it doesn’t stay that way forever, lol. But worrying about the past and things you can’t change is especially difficult to overcome, I think.
I think you’e right abbout that, Jowita. It can be difficult to overcome. What must change, I guess, is the narrative in your (“your” meaning everyone, not you specifically) mind. Say kind things to yourself instead of negative. It’s taken me a long time to change that narrative.
Thanks for the follow 🙂
You are so welcome. I look forward to reading more of your lovely content.
Wonderful. Love the photo
Thank you so much. 🙂
Oooo Kymber, this hit me in the feelies. I connected with this so much and I’ve had times where I get so caught up in thinking about how things were, what I could have done differently. “If only you had known You could have been carefree”, that makes me really sad. I was painfully shy when I was younger, I hated how I looked, there was so much I felt I missed out on as a result. A beautiful, poignant piece, Kymber. I love it. And I love the blog’s new look! xx
Thank you so much, Caz. I’m glad you love the poem and my site’s new look, too.
I know what you mean about hating things about yourself when you’re younger. If only we knew back then what we know now.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful poem and photo!!.. you were not being hard on yourself, just follow your heart and learning about life… “Strength doesn’t come from what you can do, it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t” (Rikki Rodgers)… and by doing so, will help you be who you are and wish to be.. “Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come”. (Author Unknown)… 🙂
Until we meet again..
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
And may all the wishes you wish come true
(Irish Saying)
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. You always say the most beautiful things. 🙂
What a heart-felt poem. I always ask, why didn’t I push harder! Thank you for the perspective.
Thank you, Jacqui. That’s another good question!
I loved the repeat question, Kymber, and I think many people will relate to this. Things get so much easier as we age, and hopefully we can look back with compassion for our younger selves. Hugs.
Thank you, Diana. I love what you said here about having compassion for our younger selves. That is so important. Hugs back. ❤
Someone mentioned that we did our best with where we were, and I think that’s true. Hug that younger self.
I think that is excellent advice. 🙂
Man, Kymber, your poetry just gets me in the feels. It’s so deep. If you’re not professionally published, you should be.
I know you had originally published this before the movie, Encanto, came out, but I can’t help but see Luisa in this poem, and if you haven’t seen Encanto, may I suggest viewing Luisa’s song, “Surface Pressure.” <3
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. xoxo ❤❤
I will definitely check out the movie Encanto. I’ve heard good things about it. 🙂 I’ll pay special attention to that song, too.
Time teaches us if it’s not life or death let it go, but when we’re young we put too much upon ourselves. {{hugs}}, my friend.
Thank you so much, Jacquie. Sending hugs right back at you. xo
Ahh, such beautiful sentiment. I wish I could have told my younger self to not be so judgmental of me. We all did the best we could.
Yes, I think that is definitely true about how we did the best we could at the time. That’s what personal growth is all about. 🙂 Thank you for your kind words.
Such a beautiful poem, you’re really talented. Would you mind if I use parts of it in class? It would be really useful when we talk about self esteem!
You are so kind, thank you so much. Yes, you may use parts of it in your class. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
💜🙂💜
So many of us have come through this. Beautiful poem and message, Kymber 💕🙂
Thank you so much, Harmony. 💕💕
Beautiful!!!! I love this version so much better. Well Done!!!
Thank you so much, Bee. I’m so glad you were able to tell me what fit and what didn’t. 🙂
Aaah, words of wisdom Kymber, you should share more poetry with us. Blessings, Peter.
Thank you so much, Peter. I appreciate your kind words. 🙂