Salutations, my dear digital friends!
This week’s poem, in part, tackles the notion of self-esteem and worth.
Oh, how our minds can be such cruel, barren places sometimes. Dare I say… sunbaked deserts?
Have we become so conditioned in this age of social media that we define our worth by the number of Likes we get online?
Are we all so lost in the enormity of digital anonymity that our self-esteem need be fed by the approval of virtual strangers?
The whole idea makes me terribly sad.
And all this I say knowing all too well that, ironically, I spend a large amount of my free time writing and posting my words online. Dare I say… seeking validation?
Hmmm… guess I talked myself into a corner. 🤣😂 Enjoy the poem.
As always, please let me know your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the poem in the ‘Leave a Reply’ comment section at the bottom of this page.
-PS Conway ☘️ ☘️ ☘️
☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️
sunbaked
sunbaked in self-doubt
no oasis in sight
the way back to me lost to dust devils
footprints faded and cast to the wind
thirsted thick for a taste of love
for the caress of another
smothered by kindness and affirmation
merely to know my soul is good
magical thinking of magical things
daydreams of a djinn
here in this barren land of oblivion
what if i might stumble across her magic lamp?
set her free to look upon me
how could she not take pity on such a wretch
never greedy
grant just one surreptitious wish:
to be seen ever-worthy,
to be tenderly kissed
So hard to find love, a lover, the “one,” in today’s world…makes you wonder how it ever happened before the Internet…lol. I have found relationships from several methods: high school sweetheart, roaring twenty something parties, night clubs, church, etc., but the one I feel I am most compatible with and could spend a lifetime with I met on the Internet in a Facebook group. He quenched my thirst in the desert, made me feel loved and worthy, and then, there was that kiss! So glad to have had the opportunity to meet someone so special online!
Absolutely gorgeous comment, PS! The upside of social media and its most hopeful and joyous! Love it, my friend 💕☘️🌹🍷✨
I love the gender role reversal of the genie here Pat and the accidental ( perhaps) kicking of the lamp. I think we’re all naturally approval seeking to a lesser or greater degree, but yes, social media is the ultimate expression of this fundamental longing.
Thanks, Naomi. 🙏🙏 We are all very much in some need of validation… I think more so as writers, which is such a personal thing. 😊 And it’s always fun to flip the script on these deplorable gender roles, eh? 🌹🧞♀️✨
Beautiful words. I think it could relate to different kinds of love, loss and renewed hope. I’m hurting from your beautiful poem today because I just learned that my precious 67 year old baby brother had just been diagnosed with rapid cognitive decline. Somehow this poem has removed the dull ache, restored my feelings and helped me cry. Thank you so much Sean
Sending you big digital hugs, Gloria. I’m so sorry to hear of your brother. I appreciate the kind words about this poem, too. Thank you. 💕🙏🏻🌹🍷✨
To comment on self esteem … it’s complicated. It’s like asking the question ‘who am I’, ‘what is my purpose’. Our opinion of ourselves is built on the opinion of others, of society and especially the media/social media. This places an immense responsibility on us all, especially parents, to avoid negative comments where possible. Having Self doubt, low esteem is a painful void, a desert of despair. Social media is a necessary evil in my opinion.
This poem has hit a painful point for me personally, however it’s always therapeutic to visit uncomfortable places with an open mind.
I believe our purpose in life is to love and be loved and that includes loving ourselves.
Another thought provoking poem. Thank you.
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Hi, Sandie! As always, love your comments! One of my takeaways from those comments was the idea of approaching difficult topics with an open mind. I think that is an essential requirement for personal growth. Brilliantly said as always. Thank you. 💕🙏🏻🍷🌹✨☘️☘️☘️