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Friday, August 24, 2012

Her Song


She would lift her voice every chance she got,
In front of any audience she could find,
A wallflower who blossomed in the spotlight,
But one who should have applauded loudest
Became the harsh critic who silenced her,
Leaving her dreams muted and abandoned.

Eventually that critic exited her world,
But his words echoed for years,
A quiet refrain reminding her
That she “just wasn’t good enough,”
Her confidence transformed into acute fear.

The turning calendar pages hushed his criticisms
But not the dreams she sang in her silent soul,
Until one night in the smoky haze of karaoke night,
Someone pressed a microphone into her hand.
That night she found the courage to face her pain
And her song rang true once more.




~~~Note:  Yes, the video is actually me singing karaoke at home, just in case you were wondering.  

25 comments:

Daydreamertoo said...

You have a lovely voice. What a shame you had a partner who tried to silence it. I'm so glad you took back your light and now let it shine again Mary. No-one has the right to take away our voice or, our power.
Loved the poem and your voice is really lovely.

Mary said...

Mary, you are absolutely amazing! What a wonderful singer you are (and so courageous to share.) I am so glad you found your voice......in singing and in poetry. Never let anyone silence you.

Kerry O'Connor said...

I'm also glad you found your voice. No-one should give up on a dream because of someone's negative opinion.

Laurie Kolp said...

Mary- This is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your voice with us. I'm so glad you stepped away from the negative memories of whoever it was holding you back. You shine!

Willow said...

Mary, your poem is powerful, "turning calendar pages hushed his criticisms, well said. How sad when someone is silenced, someone as talented as you especially, who stops believing in herself. Excellent poem and beautiful voice. Brava, more, more. I love the intro to your profile as well, LOL wonderful.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

MARY!!!!!!!!OMG!!!!!!!!!! YOU SO ROCK!!!!!!! I resonate very much with your poem and your story, as I always loved to sing, and my voice was silent for too many years for fear of not being good enough. I am SO STOKED that now your voice flies free. And you have a wonderful voice, just beautiful. You are brave to share, and I'm so glad you did. I hope you link this to the Pantry, to Toads open link, to dVerse. I want the whole world to hear you sing! Love your long hair....and your bouncy attitude....you go, girl!!!!!

Ella said...

WOW Mary, you are amazing! I so can relate to your poem~ I am glad you are singing and that you shared your talent with us..talents! Beautiful...
(((hugs)))

Mary B. Mansfield said...

OMG, thank you all so much! Deciding to post the video online at all, much less add it to a blog post, is really far beyond my comfort zone, but I suppose expanding our boundaries is good for the soul. But I figure I'll just keep taking those baby steps and occasionally sing to a better audience than my steering wheel!

Scarlet said...

Mary, you have a lovely voice ~ I am so happy that you can sing to your heart's delight ~ Geez, don't listen to the guy who puts you down ~ Sing away sister ~

Anonymous said...

Willow mentioned this already, but:

"The turning calendar pages hushed his criticisms/But not the dreams"

is a great line.

Abin Chakraborty said...

Its sad how one unthinking harsh word and cut so deep. but then again, we all have to battle our own pains and carry our proverbial crosses.keep singing!

Jennifer Wagner said...

I love the poem! A very encouraging piece. And you have a very sweet voice, keep singing!

Janine Bollée said...

Yes, it's a tought world out there, in performance land. Good that you persevered and enjoyed it.

Gemma Wiseman said...

I believe if you have a singing voice, sing it! That is all a part of your life song, your inner voice that needs to be heard! Moving poem!

K McGee said...

Those external critics have a special way about them that causes you to internalize them even when they are no longer physically present, and oh how they can become crippling! It's an amazing and profound statement of your personal strength that in the end you have found your voice again. Kudos to you and your bravery!

kaykuala said...

This is an inspiration Mary! Certainly is! Glad that you blotted out the negatives. You got your own back and pretty good voice you have there. Stamp your foot down! I would subscribe to that.Nicely written!

Hank

Gordon G said...

"The turning calendar pages hushed his criticisms
But not the dreams she sang in her silent soul"

Really powerful lines that I can relate to - time can affect what is around you, but not inside you - dreams last forever

PhotoDiction said...

wonderfully inspiring. enough said. thanks for sharing this.

Serena said...

You leave me breathless and inspired. I can relate to the ill effects of criticism and have tasted the refreshing freedom of release from it as well. You have a lovely voice, both in song and in poetry, and I'm so glad you found the courage to share both! Bravo! Don't let the world miss out!

Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger said...

I think every singer has at one time or another heard those painful words. It takes an incredible amount of love and bravery to sing in the first place, and a great knowledge of who we are and what we need to sing again in the face of criticism--I too am glad that you have found your voice---

Anonymous said...

Mary, you are my hero. I thought I was brave when I started linking my real name to my poetry -- and here you are posting a video of yourself singing. And, of course, your voice is beautiful and the choice of that Taylor Swift song is perfect. You rock!

Sharp Little Pencil said...

Mary, so glad you reclaimed this particular gift. I sang in clubs for years, now am in a gospel band at church... Singing is a joy, and hearing you sing made me grin from ear to ear. I cannot stand folks who try to take away people's joy, they are simply buzzkills who either have no talents of their own and are jealous, or they are trying to cut you off from things you love. I say screw 'em all and sing out, babe! Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.com/2012/08/22/diva-heart-in-denial-whirl-trifecta/

Susan said...

Beautiful voice. Great narrative of a too common story. Get out there and shine! No more rocks will be thrown. My father stopped me singing, too, but I have since discovered that I do not have a performance voice--You do.

Peggy said...

Wow I am so impressed Mary. I am getting to this late since I have been way out of the loop of late but am so glad you shared your talent. To repeat what many have said here, please don't let anyone silence you! You have such a comforting and appealing voice.

my heart's love songs said...

oh, i soooo agree with everyone else, Mary! thanking you for being brave enough to overcome those memories to let your voice out again!

i hope you sing and write for the rest of your life ~ both will make those around you happier!

beautiful!!!!
♥♥♥