A Chance To Embrace My Own Choice

I'm sharing a poem on leaving my religion, inspired by a meaningful quote: “There’s more beauty in the fallen leaf than the one on the branch.” 🍁 

Now, as “the fallen leaf,” my perspective shifts. Reflecting on this, I penned a poem about leaving the church, hoping it resonates with others who’ve made that choice or are in that difficult situation of no longer believing what you once did, but afraid of losing family and friends. 

Here’s the heartfelt poem, a testament to shared experiences and the courage to embrace new paths in life.

A Chance To Embrace My Own Choice

In the realm of yesterday’s knowns, I dwelled

A world of certainties, where futures were spelled

My duty, I thought, was to instill this lore

In the minds of others, so they’d choose the right door

Decades passed, I clung to “eventually”

Hoping that fruits of labor would set me free

A place where all knowns would perfectly align

Questions on the back shelf, inquiries declined

For the past was to forget, a place of despair

A broken soul, burdened by shame to bear

Yet, I held on, through other’s guiding light

Their words dictating my path, day and night

Seeing through their eyes, rose-colored and clear

My own reflection, too broken to peer

A life led by what I was told and shown

A script prewritten, but no identity my own

The winds of change swept me far and wide

Into the unknown, where choices abide

Settling in uncertainty, a dance with hope

Navigating now, my life’s kaleidoscope

Yesterday and today, decisions interweave

Crafting a future, in what I believe

Letting go of knowns, finding peace at a glance

In the tapestry of choices, I discover my chance

Oh, the joy of choosing, a newfound delight

Arms raised proud, I’m winning the fight

In the unknowns of tomorrow, I find my voice

Crafting a future, embracing my own choice

JLT - Jarom Lee Thurston

January 21, 2024