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A Selection of Billy T. Brookshire's Poetry
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No OneIn the whole world, there is no one exactly like me. No one who talks like I do, or walks like I do, or looks like I do. No one with the same needs, aspirations, ideas, beliefs, sense of humor. No one. I guess that makes me exactly like you. Billy T. Brookshire (5/5/93) WHO AM I?I am a lovable, capable, worthwhile human being. I have the same right to a good life as anyone else. To take control of my life and destiny I must make choices. If I let other people choose for me, I give up the power... to do anything with my life, to reach my goals, to change and grow as a human being. In the same way, I cannot control other human beings. To get what I want and need from others, I must ask for what I want and need, knowing that others have the right to refuse. Even if I don't get what I want, I will feel better and stronger because I asked. I choose also to control my emotions, I am the only one who can make me feel mad, glad, sad, or bad. Although I cannot control what others do, I can control how I feel and act when they do it. What I do in each situation is also my choice: ...to ignore, ...to confront, ...to share my feelings, ...to negotiate. I realize that each of these choices bears risk; but by making choices and taking risks, I gain control of my life. I will make mistakes; but a mistake is only a mistake if I fail to learn from it. If I am not making mistakes, I am not growing. and I choose to grow. Billy T. Brookshire (4-6-90) i am somebodyi am somebody important i am somebody unique i am somebody worth knowing i am somebody complete i am somebody capable i am somebody true blue i am somebody worth loving i am somebody aren't you? billy t. brookshire (10-20-03) Finding the FlowI've been thinking a lot about you and me. Just how do we establish our identities? Do we get'em from our parents? Were they implanted as we were born? Can we change'em like clothes when they get threadworn? Can we get'em from friends? Or do they grow inside with each new experience, each fresh insight? Do they deepen with pain? Or expand with joy? Why do some of us create and others destroy? I don't know the answers to any of these questions. I've spent my life uncovering connections. I've been trying to see if I'm alright with me. I've been getting comfortable with my identity. The one thing that I've been able to tell Is that I’m in control of how I see myself. It's true that others have influenced my beliefs. I've learned from their words, I've grown from their deeds! But in the end, I'm the one Who must determine who I am. I must decide what's right for me. I'm the only one who can. I must sort through this baggage I've collected from others, And begin to make sense of all this clutter. I must choose the things that work for me. Ignore the rest and let it be. With time I'll unravel the mystery Of who I am and what I need! I know my identity will change as I grow. My self will develop the more that I know, From the models I choose and the places I go, I'll learn and adapt…not just go with the flow. Billy T. Brookshire (12-2-93) NowForget the memories. Give up the past. It’s gone…beyond your control. The future, even tomorrow, is beyond your grasp. Don’t let its pursuit claim your soul. Today, this minute, this second, this breath, deserves the strength of your focus. Now is the only moment of your life you control. All the rest? It’s just hocus pocus. So if there’s something in life you really must do, set the wheels in motion and do it. For it’s true that tomorrow will never come. If you miss it today, you blew it. Take time today to call an old friend. Tell someone you love, “I love you.” If you’ve unfinished business, take care of it now. Don’t wait for the spirit to move you. Live in the now. Take control of today. Every minute is yours. Choose to use it. Through choices you make and actions you take, You write your life script. Don’t refuse it. Billy T. Brookshire (8/6/91) TURNING LOOSEI’ve cared for you since you were a baby. You were helpless in every way. I fed you, wiped your nose and bottom, scrubbed you from stem to stern. I tucked you in, read you stories, kissed and doctored your wounds, took care of your every need. I’ve taught you what I could. I’ve watched you learn…one mistake at a time, watched you grow…one success at a time. I’ve cried with you and for you, laughed with you and at your antics, punished you when I had to, molded you, encouraged you, and served as your model. Now, it’s time for me to step aside, and let you use all that learning. I will always support you, but now you will be making your own decisions. Please understand. It is not easy for me to turn you loose. I still remember when you were helpless and I had to protect you. Even though you can take care of yourself now, I still worry. I’ve seen you at your best, and at your worst. I’ve seen you when you were stubborn, careless, messy and…rebellious. Oh, I knew you were just trying your wings to see if you could fly on your own, but sometimes I felt hurt. Mostly, I was scared because I knew this meant you were preparing to leave. Sometimes I reacted in anger and criticized your ways. If in my fear and anger I’ve led you to believe I doubt your capabilities, I regret it. You see, it’s my own capabilities I doubt. I’ll probably always wonder if I did the right things to help you succeed. In the end, I guess most of what I passed on to you is what my family passed to me. Some of it must have worked. We’ve both survived. I remember like yesterday when I made the break from my parents. I felt the exhilaration of freedom, the anticipation of accomplishment. I was also scared. What if I couldn’t make it on my own? It was kind of like walking a tight wire: exciting, but frightening. But I made it and you’ll make it. One last thing…I love you. You came from me. I feel close to you, bonded to you. When you leave, that bond will be broken. I will miss you. I know you will return from time to time and that’s good. But our relationship will change. For me, it will take some getting used to. The separation will be hard at first…for both of us; but we will both grow as a result. I want you to live your life as you want to live it, to discover and accomplish your dreams. It will not always be easy. If you pick life’s berries you have to put up with a few scrapes from the thorns. As I look at you now I can tell you those berries are definitely worth picking. In fact, one good thing about your leaving is that I’ll have more time to pick berries myself. Billy T. Brookshire (2/1/93) SemanticsHow powerful a word can be When it’s jagged edges show. Sometimes a word can cut so deep That only the hearer knows. How powerful a word can be An instrument of misunderstanding, A vocal veil that somehow masks Even the simplest of meanings. How powerful a word can be A gentle and verbal caress That soothes the deepest mental ache And gives the spirit rest. How powerful a word can be When the speaker is sincere And speaks in words not to sway But to help the listener hear. How powerful a word can be From the mouth of a trusted friend Who speaks with love in messages No other voice can send. How powerful a word can be When you speak it on your own And realize what you most need to hear Must come from you alone. Billy T. Brookshire (8/28/94) Me Wrap I wanna tell you somethingGotta tell you today And hear these words Chorus: Tell me, who do you like?….I like me! Now you might think that But these words are just a message Chorus Now, you can say these words And the funny thing about it Chorus
So my message is simple And say the words with me Chorus Billy T. Brookshire (10/12/93)
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