What Inspired My Poem: The Battlegrounds Of Perspective
To read my poem first click here: The Battlegrounds of Perspective
This poem is not quite like anything I have ever written. It is incredibly dense while also being incredibly short. This was very purposeful.
At the time of writing, I was contemplating how there is no such thing as one absolute truth or fact. Everything we know and observe passes through our eyes. Then, it is translated to our brain. Unfortunately, every brain translates messages different based on genetic and environmental factors.
While I have been aware of this concept for a long time, I have always found it very unnerving. If we are always thinking through our own preconceived notions, how are we ever meant to truly understand another person’s existence? Selfishly, the thought that always bothered me the most was how would anyone else ever understand me and my existence.
It’s a base human reaction: to want to be understood. It is incredibly bewildering that biology created us to crave this need for understanding while making us unable to ever fully connect with another’s perspective.
My poem was made to sit with this fact. It then forces the reader to recognize all the damage that is done when we ignore this fact. Too many problems in life stem from people seeing the story through different lenses while claiming there is only one true story.
The line “And defeat is how we cope with the bloodshed” may seem like a very depressing solution to our problem on the surface. But I see it more as giving up our belief in their being one true perspective rather than giving up trying to understand other’s perspectives. It gives us the space we need to finally let go of the pain other’s have accidentally caused us and we have accidentally caused others. Our “defeat” is really letting go of our ego and just accepting what is.
~~~
Blog by Nicole Asherah. Nicole Asherah is an artist who tries to connect people to intimate moments, feelings, and relationships experienced throughout life through her poetry, paintings, and photography.
If you enjoyed this blog, check out:
Why We Should Raise Girls Who Aren’t Always Friendly
How To Write A Meaningful Poem? Advice From A Published Poet