Independent Hands

by Samantha - Scorpio


In youth we cling so absentmindedly to open hands 
We are conditioned to hold ourselves up
By way of someone else
We hold on as we take our first step
We hold on as we walk up our first flight of stairs
And we hold on as we're guided into our first day of preschool
And our first day of life

As we begin to grow
No one really states clearly for us to let go
It's just... one of those things that are assumed
   Let go
    Do it on your own
     Walk without my hand
Yet it's not all as clear as what it may seem
At least, not for all
For some there are curfews 
  Rules 
    Chores
Where holding onto one's parents' hand may be invisible
But a leash nonetheless

Some people come out naturals
After an epiphany
They just let go during adolescence
And learn to do things on their own
Others aren't necessarily feeble-minded
But learn in their own time
That growing up means letting go of the hand

As far as relationships go- they're are many
Who cling to others
Hoping to be guided by those besides themselves
Dependent on other's views and life choices
Instead of on their own
I used to be one of them
Clinging on to exboyfriends
Letting them decide what was right/wrong
What I liked/disliked
What to watch/not watch
And when one left
I found another to cling to
To feed off of
Not as dependent as some individuals tend to be
But naïve in many, many ways

After a couple years
I kind of just eased a little at a time
Out of the hand
And out of reach
Of what I had been clinging to all along
And now, after a short break
Some well planned out 
And well self-advised
Time away
I find myself staying clear of those hands
That seek my grasp
And beginning my adulthood
No longer holding onto anyone’s hand.
Birth sign: Scorpio
Date created: 2002-01-14 00:55:28
Last updated: 2021-03-03 14:45:34
Poem ID: 66703

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