One Decision that is Yours Alone

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry, Recordings

I see the tears rolling, slowly,
but with purpose.
Will you let me dry them?
Your invisible scars are as visible
as words of anguish in your eyes.
But there is no room for shame
even though time swiftly moves
while memories remain.

No, you don’t know me well,
and I can’t relate to the nightmare
that stole your self-worth,
and we haven’t exchanged
a friendly conversation over tea,
but you can trust me.
I only wish you kindness
in your unfair moments of nothingness.

Please don’t let your soul accept blame –
fingers point in one direction,
and the compass lies in the palm
of your hand, leaving blisters of terror
as evidence.
I’ll help you pick up the pieces
from your shattered heart.
I’m not afraid of a cut.
If you’ll let me be your glue,
I’ll fit them gently back together.

You wear the mask beautifully
because you are beautiful,
but isn’t it time to let it fall
to the earth like a raindrop?
To heal cracks on the inside
and approach life on the outside?

Allow your soul to sing
with melodies of celebration.
Allow your soul to dance in elation,
for you have walked through hell,
felt the burn beneath your feet,
but you have reached the other side
and welcomed the reassurance of light.

You have one decision that is yours alone.
No one will take it away…
so how do you want the world to see you?

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.

Hugs, Lauren ❤️

Website: baydreamerwrites.com
Author Of The Month, May 2023 Spillwords Press
Publication of the Month,
October 2024 “Treats only, Please!” Spillwords Press
Monthly Contributor, Gobbers-Masticadores Literary Website
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08NCRH4MK
Author Latest Release Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poems
Author, More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose
Author, Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poems
Author, New Day, New Dreams: A Poetry Collection
Co-Author, Petals of Haiku
Co-Author, This is How We Grow
Co-Author, Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Cora’s Quest, A children’s book, coming soon!

97 thoughts on “One Decision that is Yours Alone”

  11. “Allow your soul to sing
    with melodies of celebration.
    Allow your soul to dance in elation”
    I can’t think of a greater gift that we can give to another human being than to help point them in the direction that will let them make decisions that lead in this direction, Lauren.

  13. Powerful…and comforting to caregivers and any who have suffered or soothed those who’ve endured pain. Thank you, Lauren. I kept going back to these words:
    “I only wish you kindness
    in your unfair moments of nothingness”
    xo 💕

    1. Thanks so much for your lovely words, Vicki. Over the weekend, I was reading a poetry book about domestic abuse and it broke my heart. So, this poem came to mind in minutes. It’s tragic that so many people suffer under the hand of domestic abuse or violence. And thank you for highlighting that special line. ❤️

  19. “Allow your soul to sing with melodies of celebration.” This line really hit me hard. For so long, I had been letting my depression get the best of me. But when I started allowing myself to be happy, it was life changing. This reminded me of that moment.

    1. Oh, Pooja, thanks for sharing what that line meant to you. I finished your beautiful book, so I understand what you’ve been experiencing, but I’m grateful that you reached a point of allowing yourself to be happy. I’m currently working on reviews and will do a blog post with several before the end of the month. Take good care, my friend. ❤️

  22. petespringer's avatar petespringerauthor

    Your invisible scars are as visible
    as words of anguish in your eyes.

    Love those lines because I’ve seen that look.

  25. What a touching and beautiful poem Lauren ❤️. One that shows us that we are not alone, despite what we are going through. I feel like it’s been written to me in a way, when one day I had to make this choice.

    1. Thanks so much, Marie! I was actually reading a non-fiction book this weekend about domestic abuse which broke my heart. So I wrote this poem (in my mind) to the author. I hope you found inspiration. Hugs, my friend. ❤️

    1. Thanks for your kind words, Steve. This poem came to mind after reading a non-fiction book about domestic abuse. So (silently) it’s written for the author, a survivor. I was heartbroken by her experience, but grateful that she endured and prevailed. Take care too. 🤗

      3. It is hard to imagine, yes.

        Thanks so much, Lauren, I had a great day… we cared for our youngest grandson which is always bliss. He’s such an easy-going lad with a lovely personality. 🥰

      4. That’s wonderful, Steve! Your grandson sounds like a great little guy! We don’t have grandkids yet, and honestly, I’m unsure if we will. It’s okay with us either way, but I love hearing stories like yours. 🙂

  27. Just gorgeous, Lauren. A message of support, but also of responsibility for our own lives. Beautiful and gentle and wise and compassionate. I so appreciate you and your poetry. ❤ ❤

    1. Aww, Diana, your words are a balm to my soul with everything that has been happening. I truly appreciate them and am so glad you loved this poem. I wrote this as a response to a book on domestic abuse I read. The author’s reality broke my heart, so these words came to mind. Thanks again, my friend. 💖🌷

    1. Thanks so much, Resa! Your words always warm my heart. Last weekend I was reading a non-fiction book about domestic abuse and it broke my heart. I felt compelled to write a reply to the author, so to speak. Now you know the backstory. And you are special too, my friend! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

      1. Domestic abuse is horrible.
        You are right to be heart broken, and you are righteous to be moved to write a response.
        It seems insane to me that women (not often but sometimes men) stay in abusive relationships.

        I watched my stepfather break my mom’s arm when they were having a fight. My mom did not leave him, and put up with more.
        It’s one of the reasons I ran away in my teens. (a good decision)
        xoxoxoxo

      2. Oh my gosh, Resa, I didn’t know about your mom and stepfather and that’s horrible! I’m so sorry that you lived with that violence and that your mom put up with it. I’m sure it was hard beyond words to witness. And then you ran away….It’s difficult to imagine relationships like these and I often wonder why people do stay. But without being an expert, I think in many cases, it’s just not black and white and so easy to leave. I don’t know. Anyway, thanks for sharing part of your story with me. Sending hugs! xoxoxoxoxo

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