Prompt & Poke Me

Have you ever written something in response to a writing prompt? If you haven’t, you are in for a treat. A prompt simply frees your mind and sparks creativity. Often after writing from a prompt, I think, "Where the heck did that come from?" There was something under the surface that you weren’t aware was there, itching to rise and have your attention. It pokes me, in a good way. I wrote this poem from a meditative writing prompt asking what my superpower was:

My Superpower is Imperfection

I used to be a perfectionist

I took pride in it

Why wouldn’t I?

I believed that to be perfect

was to be good.

I wasn’t just a “good girl,” I was 

THE “good girl”

Good grades, always on my best behavior,

playing by the rules,

setting and living by the highest standards

For myself. For others.

It set me up for a lifetime of disappointment.

I strived for perfection most of my life

thinking it was a good thing.

It wasn’t.

It wasn’t sustainable. Or attainable.

I realized after 30 years of marriage

I couldn’t be the perfect wife. Mother. Daughter. Person.

Perfectionism is evil.

And addicting.

Now, I show up to a meeting with myself everyday

and say 

Hello, my name is Tarah and I’m a recovering perfectionist.

I’d like to say I've figured it all out,

that imperfection is indeed my superpower,

that I’m a superhero.

But alas, I am a mere human

who does not possess superpowers.

But that doesn’t mean I’m not powerful,

courageous

or vulnerable

Or that I don’t know 

what I’m fighting against- 

My old self and ways.

Or what I’m fighting for- 

The true me.