Michelle True
Pursue The Passion Poetry
October 19, 2006 | by brett | Permalink
This morning I woke up and immediately starting thinking about Pursue The Passion, and what else we needed to deliver our message. An idea of a poem popped in my head, and I thought of Michelle True, one of our interviews in Chicago that ended up being canceled at the last minute. So I emailed Michelle, she was enthusiastic about the idea, and here is her poem about pursuing a passion and doing what you love.
Pursue the Passion
by Michelle True
Why are passions not pursued?
Because we just aren’t in the mood,
or do not think we have the time,
or find the ladder too steep to climb.
There’s always something, someone else
to blame for passions on the shelf.
Covered with dust, we watch them die;
there’s always a perfect alibi.
A demanding job, long hours, the kids,
the success a part of us forbids.
Just living day to day must do;
to lofty dreams we bid adieu.
We don’t think we deserve to dream
yet deep inside our passions scream,
desperate to be set free.
Ideas born in reverie
languish, cob-webbed in our mind.
To failure we’ve become resigned.
We conform to the status quo,
with no opportunity to grow.
We quietly follow the herd,
our passion and our vision blurred.
Are we simply too damned tired
or are we no longer inspired?
We never broke free from the mold,
no longer reaching for the gold.
Our hopes to one day be fulfilled
have somehow, silently, been killed.
We find success others defined,
our dreams falling further behind.
We’re lacking proper motivation
or simply lost the inclination;
postponed dreams to a later date
while silently, we moan, berate
our lack of progress, sitting still.
We feel no joy; there is no thrill.
Our dreams slip slowly from our grasp
not uttering a single gasp.
Taking such a loss for granted,
we forget the seeds once planted.
We have the power to evolve
but lack the strength and the resolve.
There is no adequate excuse.
It is a form of self-abuse
to deny ourselves what we deserve.
Have we only lost our nerve
or has it fallen out of fashion
to actively pursue our passion?
Other Related Interviews
« Previous: Simple Communication | Next: The PTP Godfather »
THERE ARE 22 RESPONSES TO THIS INTERVIEW
Pier Tyler Says:
October 19th, 2006
Michelle, line by line, you have captured the “why” of not pursuing our passion. You’ve motivated me to action. Thanks for sharing this thought-provoking write.
Pier
Thelly Says:
October 19th, 2006
So true! I enjoyed reading it. Write on!
Shawna R. B. Atteberry Says:
October 19th, 2006
Michelle, that is beautiful and so true. Even as a full-time freelancer, sometimes it’s seems so hard to sit down and write and pursue my dreams. It really has “fallen out of fashion” to do something because you love it and that’s your passion.
Mike Tyrell Says:
October 19th, 2006
There is no adequate excuse.
It is a form of self-abuse
to deny ourselves what we deserve.
Have we only lost our nerve
or has it fallen out of fashion
to actively pursue our passion?
I kept on reading this part over and over again. Its really beautiful
GeorgeAnne Says:
October 19th, 2006
Hi Michelle,
Nicely done, and no truer words could ever be written than those in this poem. COngrats on its being publication. WAY TO OG!
Cheers,
GeorgeAnne
Bro Bill aka Arkie Bill Says:
October 19th, 2006
I like it very much. I used to be on a poetry list run by a Canadian poet and it was a lot of fun. He would give us a subject and style we were to use.
Keep writing,
Bill
Jeanette Says:
October 19th, 2006
Maybe it’s a mid-life crisis, but I’ve been reviewing my own choices and remaining options lately, and this poem touched me!
Good work!
Gioya McRae Says:
October 20th, 2006
Michelle True’s words echo in all of us. We must pursue our dreams or lose them. Thanks, Michelle, for the inspiration.
Jen W Says:
October 20th, 2006
Many true thoughts here (no pun intended).
“…to failure we’ve become resigned.”
What a shame!
Well written on such short notice!
Brenda S Says:
October 20th, 2006
Michelle, your poem is very well-crafted and thought-provoking–a great read. I sincerely enjoyed it.
Mom Says:
October 20th, 2006
Being your mom, I suppose I should be accustomed by now to your great gift, but you continue to blow me away with your poetry. You have the rare ability to move me and touch my heart.
I love you.
Mom
Joyce A. Says:
October 21st, 2006
Michelle, I’m sure your poem will be an inspiration to many. Its thought-provoking words lead us to delve deep inside ourselves and consider the pursuit - or lack of pursuit - of our own passions. Nicely done.
Joyce
elliott Says:
October 21st, 2006
I very much enjoyed your poem and the truthfulness within its words.
elliott
JJ Murphy Says:
October 22nd, 2006
Michelle - You NAILED it! It was word perfect. Good for you!
Ernie Johnson Says:
October 23rd, 2006
Too much of what you’ve said, will reach into the very soul of most writers who’ve not felt the joy of success.
This piece touches the very core of why writers write, and fail. Nice job Michelle. Ernie
Angie Bray Says:
October 23rd, 2006
I’ve often felt that poetry is a window used to look into the poets mind, heart, and soul. Thank you Michelle for this poem because I have felt this way about passion too. It touched my mind, heart, and soul!
James Whiting Says:
October 24th, 2006
In the words of the Reverend Al Sharpton “Nice Rhyme”.
Kelly Gutsch Says:
October 25th, 2006
What a magigal place this would be if we all dusted off the dreams we have placed on the shelf and fearlessly pursued them. Thank your for your inspiration!
Kelly Gutsch Says:
October 25th, 2006
Did someone say “spellcheck”? Magical would be the word!
Carol White Says:
November 12th, 2006
Michelle -
Perfectly said - and so right. We did break free from the mold - and decided to live our passion.
We had always wanted to take a long - I mean really long - road trip, but as you say:
“There’s always something, someone else to blame for passions on the shelf.Covered with dust, we watch them die; there’s always a perfect alibi.A demanding job, long hours, the kids, the success a part of us forbids.”
When we returned, we decided to help others live out their road trip dreams and created a tplanning guide that help answer all those alibi’s of why we don’t go.
Maybe some people on this blog will also get inspired to live their dreams. It can be done. Visit http://www.roadtripdream.com for inspiration.
Kathie Says:
November 12th, 2006
“There is no adequate excuse.
It is a form of self-abuse”
Many phrases of your poem
ring true, but this one in particular
describes the agony that comes
from not following dreams. It truly
is a form of self-abuse.
Kathie/Kate
Elizabeth Says:
June 5th, 2007
“It truly IS a form of self-abuse”
Damn, ain’t that the truth…
RESPOND TO THIS INTERVIEW