Being Me

The last grade that I finished in school was 7th because I ran away from home shortly after starting 8th grade. A couple of years later, my grandmother talked me into giving school another shot. I returned to school for about one month of tenth grade before quitting again to work full-time and take my SATs. During that one month of tenth grade, there was a guidance counselor who took an interest in me and we spent long hours talking before and after school. She gave me a book of poems by Jane Seskin called "Getting My Head Straight." Through dozens of moves, divorce, losing all my belongings in a train wreck and just life in general, I've managed to hang on to that book. I belong to a book group that meets monthly. This month, the eldest member of our group, Kay who is 90, asked us to bring a poem instead of reading a book. I dug out my tattered, dog-eared, water-stained book from Ms. Hanson and picked two poems. They are as pertinent now at 45 as they were when I was 15. Much love, Connie Me I've got to care enough About Me To not care Too much About what Other people think About me. Being Me I've given up the dream From Seventeen magazine, I shall never be A size seven Or have long blond hair That swings As I walk. My nose doesn't turn up And my teeth are stained From tobacco What I am From the tips of my dirty loafers To the collar of my frayed work shirt Is comfortable With being Me.

quite profound

You always write such great stuff. Very interesting!! Marilyn, the Bearlady