Hidden — a Poem

A poem about challenging what you believe.

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Hidden

Whose woods these are, I thought I knew
From stories told, those old and few
I followed blind, these tales of old
Believed them all, defended bold

I came to fear, these lovely woods
I wouldn’t look in or take their goods
To stay away, my distance wide
And when too close, away I’d hide

But then one day, I had no choice
These woods called me with booming voice
I stepped inside, my heart in fear
Expecting worst and terror near

But in I went, yes deeper still
To conquer them was on my bill
Once deep inside, what great surprise
Great beauty found before my eyes

Lush green and blue, abundant life
Small streams and ponds, no sign of strife
I stood in awe, could not believe
That this I’d missed, made my heart grieve

The truth I thought I’d always known
Revealed as lies, deceit was sown
Why this was hid, I couldn’t conceive
Who once inside, would ever leave?

I sat beside the babbling brook
And cried in pain, my heat forsook
This beauty found, which so awed me
Betrayed a lot and made me see

Not every word should be believed
Some things held off and not received
I thought of those who fed me lies
And wondered why thru sobbing cries

This was a place no one should fear
A place to sit and inside peer
I wished to stay and never flee
But thought of those still yet to see

So out I walked, now filled with light
And set a course these lies to fight
For all should see this treasure grand
Not live in fear, but take a stand

January 6, 2005

by Scott Ninneman

Speaking Bipolar Positivity Club

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Author’s Note: Too many of us grow up believing so-called “truths” just because they are what our teachers believed. It’s important to challenge those ideas and make sure they are true.

I wrote this poem at a time when I was realizing many of my truths weren’t as true as I thought they were. The world wasn’t flat, and my life was better once I recognized the new truth.

Until next time, keep fighting.

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Watch this poem in video format.

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The post originally appeared on Medium on October 25, 2019

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