It’s the Way I’m Meant to Be

Summary

Carolyn Hastings shares a personal epigraphic poem inspired by Virginia Woolf's quote and influenced by the writing styles of Thomas Plummer and Gun Roswell, inviting readers to join the Paper Poetry Week 13 poetry prompt.

Abstract

The website content presents an original poem titled "It’s the Way I’m Meant to Be" by Carolyn Hastings, which reflects on the essence of self-identity, drawing inspiration from Virginia Woolf's famous quote. The poem emphasizes the uniqueness and immutability of the self, asserting that one can only be who they inherently are. Hastings acknowledges the influence of fellow writers Thomas Plummer and Gun Roswell on her work, praising their engaging and thought-provoking writing styles. The article also serves as a call to action, encouraging other writers to participate in the Paper Poetry Week 13 epigraphic poetry prompt, and provides a link to the prompt for interested readers. Additionally, Hastings offers options for readers to subscribe to her email list for updates on her latest works and to use her affiliate referral link to become a Medium member.

Opinions

Carolyn Hastings expresses a strong sense of self and the importance of authenticity, aligning with Virginia Woolf's perspective on identity.
She admires the complex and captivating writing styles of Thomas Plummer and Gun Roswell, which have positively influenced her own writing.
Hastings values community engagement and encourages fellow writers to contribute to the shared creative endeavor of the Paper Poetry Week 13 prompt.
She

Free Verse

Self portrait in pencil by the writer — look familiar?!

‘For unless I am myself, I am nobody’ Virginia Woolf

I’m only ever who I am There’s only ever one of me I can’t be anyone but myself It’s the way I’m meant to be If I wasn’t who I am I would cease being only me And for me there really is no other

I’ve written this poem in response to Paper Poetry’s Week 13 epigraphic poetry prompt based on Virginia Woolf’s quote: ‘for unless I am myself, I am nobody.’

My original idea had been to write something completely different, but then I read some of Thomas Plummer’s and Gun Roswell’s pieces and was inspired — influenced — by their ‘tying themselves up in knots’ writing styles. I mean that as a compliment because it’s a style that’s fun to read and leaves you going, ‘Wow, what was that?!’ 😄

👉 Thomas Plummer’s, He Who Was Me —

👉 Gun Roswell’s, The mood of the day —

There’s still time to join the prompt, so let’s see if my Thom-Gun inspired piece can tempt a few of you to put pen to paper, fingers to keyboards. How about it — Dana Sanford | Sahil Patel | Divya Goswami | Imad | Margie Willis 🙏

You’ll find all you need to know about the prompt here —

Thank you all for reading. 🙏 💕

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Epigraphic Poem

It’s the Way I’m Meant to Be

Free Verse

He Who Was Me

Who I was, I am no more, older now, but an other

The mood of the day

“The mood, ever changing, by the day, by the hour, even by the second, as yes, I am really that moody!” Gun Roswell

For Unless I Am Myself, I Am Nobody ~ Virginia Woolf

From sunflowers to emeralds