Have you felt unjustly judged in life, in work, in relationships and friendships?
Or do you yourself find you are being very judgemental of others or of appearances and don’t fully realise the depth of your stereotyping and assumptions?
This poem I’m sharing in this post is called ‘NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY IT’S COVER’ and it covers both of these sides to this story of life…
We do not have to wait for ‘New Year Resolutions’ to lookΒ at moulding the βNew YouβΒ into who you want yourself to be and how you want to behave. I hope this poem will be a reminder for us all at any time of the year, to look at how we conduct ourselves on a daily basis and to be aware of how we generally treat other people and how others treat us too.
Sometimes we forget just how much our attitude towards others, can affect them internally in ways in which we are oblivious. The poem of mine that I share with you in this post is a reminder of just that! Everyone is dealing with something in life, many have hidden battles deeper than you’d imagine and you just never know what is happening behind closed doors to people either.
On the other end of the scale is the person who feels unseen, unheard, wrongly judged, misunderstood. I’m sure we have all been on both sides in life. This poem is for us all as a reminder of how we want to be treated and of how we should want to treat others too.
Where to get inspiration from, when writing poetry:
When I wrote this poem βNever Judge a Book by Its Coverβ, It stemmed from being taught growing up as a Christian toΒ βTreat others how you wish to be treatedβ yet feeling that at times I was being judged and treated unfairly myself, esp because I didn’t share my inner struggles with people for them to understand my external behaviour.
It was these Bible Verses and Christian principles that inspired me to write this particular poem around this subject that was a personal issue that was playing on my heart. So I would say when looking for inspiration when writing poetry, look at what makes your heart want to write about that subject, what shapes your beliefs about the subject, what relevant life experiences have you been through to draw from? There is inspiration all around us in our personal lives and in the world around us.
A poem to encourage us to be kind to each other
As some people prefer to read the typed word rather than reading poetry off an image, here are the written words to my poem:
– Never Judge a Book by Its Cover β Poem by Helen’s Journey –
Whatβs the point of going through the day?
Just to listen to the pointless things people say?
Just to feel uncomfortable when someone gives you a stare?
Or to be pushed by someone in a rush who donβt give a care?
To have people judge you by theΒ way that you look,
But how many have lived just one day out of your book?
They love to criticise and list the things that youβve done wrong,
Yet how many have taken time to stop and hear the words of your song?
They donβt understand the inβs and outβs of your life,
So because of it how can they give you strife?
Of you, peopleβs views and opinions are uninformed,
How can they know what goes on behind closed doors?
The tears that drop from my eyes flooding the floors.
They look at me, but they do not know the cause,
And hearing their comments just deepens the sores!
I try to move on, to find joys, not just woes.
But it seems you’re blinded to my highs and only see my lows.
Your looks, comments and silence, all add to my shoulders heavy pile,
When really all I long for, is for you to truly SEE me and give me a warm smile!
So, remember as you concentrate on being the best version of yourself you can be, to remind the βnew improved youβ that it takes more effort to frown than it does to smile! So smile for yourself and share smiles for others – they really do go a long way!!!
I hope this poem touches hearts and consciences – please feel free to comment on the blog and share with me your experiences and reactions to my honest and open words…
– Helen x
Ideas for how to treat others better with ‘Random Acts of Kindness’
Did you know that each year there are specific awareness days dedicated to showing others kindness? Click on the following blog title to read my post “Top Ideas for showing others kindness through ‘Ransom Acts of Kindness’
- World Kindness Day – 13th November
- Random Acts of Kindness Day – USA 17th February / New Zealand 1st September
A collection of Poems by Helen’s Journey Blog:
Here are some other poems I have shared (Click on the poem title to open the poem in another tab:
“We are WOMAN”– A celebratory poem for all that is ‘woman’ on International Women’s Day!
“Making friends with Grief”Β Β Β – A poem I wrote in ode to my Grandad on the anniversary of his passing & a blog post about me using the grief in a good way to produce this poem.
Fresh Prince of Bel Air Theme Tune TwistΒ – Using poetry & prose of song/rap lyrics to express my feelings and experience after growing my hair for three years to donate 12 inches to charity to make a wig for a child with cancer hair loss.
“CHRISTMAS CHEERβ – A Christmas Acrostic Poem encapsulating the Christmas Season.
*All the images for my poetry can be found on my Pinterest Board for all my poems and blog posts:
ENJOY READING HELENβS JOURNEY POSTS AND POEMS?
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Very smartly written , every word connects so beautifully with the emotion you can actually imagine everything …..Great work …
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Thanks so much for your feedback hun! So glad I was able to convey the emotions to the reader in a way that can pull on heartstrings – thank you x
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You are most welcome …β€οΈ definitely you did …π€πππΌ
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Beautifully written & really uplifting – I love it! π
Caz x
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Thanks for the lovely feedback Caz, so nice to know how it reached ou to you πππ
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Itβs great to be reminded how our words and looks whether intentional or not, can affect another person. I feel sad reading the emotion but also happiness that I know whose I am and other peopleβs looks/words donβt have to become part of my identity. Such an emotive poem, beautifully written x great post x
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Hi Dani,
Thank you so much for your feedback on my poem – it can always be daunting sharing something so personal. So to know my words speak to people’s hearts & examine their own feelings towards judgement etc is heartwarming.
Yes Amen! We have the choice not to accept those things as part of our identity and to deal with them in a way that we carry them as lessons not as baggage going forwards too… we know who we are and whose we are πͺπ x
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This poem was very descriptive and emotional but I think lots of people will relate to this.
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Thank you. I’m glad it’s able to touch people on an emotional level, esp because as you say so many can relate to such feelings & events in their own lives.
Thanks for the feedback π
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Lovely poem. A great message for a time when there is too much unnecessary judgment and criticism surrounding us all.
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