avatarLynda Coker

Summary

The web content is a reflective poem exploring the pressures of societal expectations and the realization of self-acceptance.

Abstract

The poem delves into the internal conflict of an individual striving to meet societal standards of strength, wisdom, beauty, and generosity. It conveys a struggle to align with the expectations of others, touching on the desire to be stately, wise, pretty, and endlessly giving. However, the poem culminates in a moment of self-realization, acknowledging that despite these pressures, one can only authentically be oneself. The narrative encourages readers to embrace their true identity beyond external demands.

Opinions

  • The author feels a societal pressure to exhibit qualities such as strength, wisdom, beauty, and generosity.
  • There is an expectation to always be giving, even to the point of self-sacrifice.
  • The poem suggests that people often try to conform to what others expect from them.
  • The author ultimately concludes that authenticity is paramount, and being true to oneself is more important than meeting external expectations.
  • The poem implies that societal expectations can be a source of internal conflict and that self-acceptance is a liberating resolution to this conflict.
Image by Antonios Ntoumas from Pixabay

I Think I Ought to Be

Poem about being me

I think I ought to be stately and strong No matter how long

I think I ought to be Wise and sure And always secure

I think I ought to be pretty and smiling Never less than beguiling

I think I ought to be Always giving and giving Even when unwilling

I think I ought to be What others expect of me But they don’t really see

I think I ought to be But in reality I can only be me

Blue Insights
Poetry
Self-awareness
Self
Self Love
Recommended from ReadMedium