Hello everyone!
Sometimes words flood your ears leaving you unsettled.
Sometimes words are your only refuge calming you with their warmth.
I was reading this feature in one of my favourite magazines (Stylist). Words, words all over and I loved it. It made me unsettled and calm at the same time. I am going to share this moving poem with you and let you ride with the waves of emotions. The ripples of its honesty is still touching me every now and then.
Words
My Old Face By Katie Piper
“I miss you
I think about you every day
The fun we used to have, those memories I have of you,
I will always treasure.
I Know, I know you are gone forever – but never forgotten
We were crazy together and I am glad, we really made
the most of it.
I find it hard to think about the fact you don’t exist in
this world any more.
So strange
Sometimes I wonder if we will be reunited in heaven?
I took care of you, all those expensive creams, if I close my
eyes I can picture and feel all the contours as I would rub
the face cream on, the flat wide nose, the perfect cupid’s
bow. I spent so much time perfecting those unruly brows!
I’m sorry I sometimes put you through the sunbed that
horrifies me now!
You’d be shocked, I’ve really changed. I’m kind to this
face and I love it, but nothing will replace you. Sometimes
I’m too hard on this face. If I had one wish I would see
you again, for one day, wear you again, I would take
you to the supermarket and walk you around, smiling,
greeting everyone.
I’m sorry I let you down and let him take you away.
I will never destroy your pictures. I’m scared as you fade
in my mind and I accept this face more. But I’m sorry it’s
the way it must be until we meet again.”
I will not lie, but until last Thursday I had no idea who Katie Piper was? 2008 was a rollercoaster of a year for me, I barely opened up with the outside world. I was busy trying to find out ways to catch a few winks. I was a new mum and for me everything was either a triumph or a disaster. I lost track of time while trying to be ‘the’ perfect person for my baby and my family. While I was figuring out my world, the events in the real world were barely any news for me. Apart from the news of Barack Obama sworn in as the president of the United States of America, I don’t think anything else hit my ears.
I am finding it extremely hard to put it down. I want to write without sounding insensitive, without being heartless and rude. Over the years, I have read and heard many stories of pain, betrayal, courage, perseverance and most importantly survival. However, reading this particular one gave me a sense of hope, gratitude and immense love for what I have and should value. Things that we take for granted are the very essence of our lives. The way Katie has poured her heart out describing how she misses her face is incredible. The way she has described that sometimes being called brave and courageous is the only option. Her thoughts on biological resemblance with her own child is so poignant and heartbreaking.
I am thoughtful and my heart goes to the acid attack survivors and their family and friends. With due respect, reflecting upon her poem, I have made my own interpretation. There must be numerous days when you have looked at yourself and didn’t feel good about yourself. Freckles or a pimple, a rash or a few red spots, a birth mark or a mark left from chicken pox, a blemish or a scar or your complexion must have at some point in your lives caused you some form of pain. But not after reading this heartfelt poem. I value everything that I have and am filled with gratitude and hope.
Please take a look at this feature http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/katie-piper-interview-healing-power-of-poetry-and-writing
Here I am sending a no make up selfie in support of valuing the gift. You can carry forward the support by being kind to yourself. Or may be a no make-up selfie if you would like to post:-) Here’s to all the survivors and fighters!
Much love
Suranjita
