You have no definition of your own
You define yourself by what you oppose
You are so afraid of being alone
You've run out of friends on which to impose
Everyone warned me so I should have known
It is clear now that your true color shows
You can't hide what your mind already knows
You must pay back what your empty heart owes

You are a blind possessor of your faults
You deny yours but point to your neighbors
A tremor within begins your assault
While shaking with the fear of showing yours
Hiding yourself behind mental walls
I wish you could unlock those fragile doors
And remember how to open the vaults
Your heart will forgive what your mind ignores

04/01/1983

Author's Note: I was away at college and going through some very difficult times emotionally, financially and in my realationship with my girlfriend. While I was talking to my brother Tom, who just happened to be a psychologist, on the phone about my issues, he asked me to define myself. I reeled off a bunch of stuff, all of which was a list of what I was not, instead of who I am. He pointed out that I was defining myself by what I opposed. I was also blaming everyone but myself for my situation. So after a long talk, I wrote Self Portrait based on our conversation, but from the perspective of the inner me telling the superficial me who I appear to be.

Posted on 10/10/2005
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