Who Me?
By AG
How do I better myself?
Starve off comfortability
To create parity within
To accept my flaws
and be humble in my strengths
To feel relief in my win
A winner of freedom
Free at last
Freed from my past
I’ve been re-moved my mask
Not saying I’m fake
More so removing my ugly
To reveal my beauty
Essence of a man, a changed man
Who articulating a plan
To achieve to believe
I can, and will be a better me
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The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.
I resonate a lot with this poem and the feeling of wanting to grow as a person but not quite knowing the best way to do it. There is a lot of pressure from others to be a good person, but sometimes the pressure from yourself is the hardest to please. I enjoyed your poem and speaking on this matter so many people struggle with.
This poem is a powerful declaration of growth and transformation, reminding us that true strength comes from self-awareness and perseverance. It beautifully captures the courage it takes to confront your past and evolve into someone stronger and more authentic. Keep embracing your journey—because every step forward is proof that you can and will become the best version of yourself.
Your reflection on personal growth feels raw and genuine. The idea of “removing the ugly” to reveal beauty is powerful, like shedding past pain to become someone freer and stronger.
This poem does a great job showing someone’s journey of becoming a better version of themselves. It talks about letting go of comfort, facing flaws, and learning to appreciate both strengths and weaknesses. The idea of removing a mask is a strong image, showing how the person is no longer hiding who they really are but rather becoming comfortable with who they are, and who they are trying to be. The tone feels honest and hopeful, and the message is clear: change is hard, but it’s possible with effort and hope in yourself. Some phrases could be a little clearer or simpler, but overall, it’s a meaningful and inspiring piece of writing.
I like your poem a lot and I feel that it is easily relatable to many people. Since people are constantly changing over the course of their life, I think multiple lines in your poem would resinate with them.
Hi AG,
I love your use of repetition in the poem, especially “to create parity within/to accept my flaws” and “free at last/freed from my past.” It really adds to the hopeful tone of the poem and puts emphasis on the things that are the most important.
Great job 🙂
“Your poem is truly inspiring! I love how it captures the journey of self-discovery and the powerful process of shedding the masks we wear. The message of embracing both our flaws and strengths while striving to be a better version of ourselves resonates deeply. You’ve beautifully expressed the idea of freedom through self-acceptance and growth. Keep sharing your powerful words; they are a true reflection of inner strength and transformation!”
I like this poem a lot! I think your use of different wording to insinuate a theme of freedom is very impactful towards those often feeling trapped by their past or current situations. The tone of this poem is very chilling, and I really enjoy the word choice used to convey the message of self-discovery and freedom.
Dear Author,
Your poem is a heartfelt and very inspiring reflection on personal growth and self-transformation. The way you frame self-improvement as a journey of shedding comfort, embracing flaws, and finding humility in strengths is both relatable and uplifting. Lines like “Starve off comfortability” and “Freed from my past” do a great job at capturing the courage it takes to break free from old patterns and strive for a better self. The imagery of removing the “mask” to reveal your “beauty” feels deeply authentic, showing a powerful shift from hiding imperfections to embracing your true essence. Your closing lines, with their determined resolve to “achieve to believe,” resonate as a stirring call to action for anyone seeking change. I think the hardest part in the end is to believe, because believing in something take courage and a leap of faith. Thank you for sharing such a moving and motivating piece—it’s a beautiful testament to the strength of a changed man.
The poem explores self-empowerment and personal change, challenging gender norms and embracing authenticity. It encourages embracing beauty and worth, viewing the past as a part of human experience. The phrase “Essence of a man, a changed man” suggests a deeper understanding of positive masculinity, focusing on supporting women and marginalized genders. The poem serves as a starting point for further contemplation and questioning.
I greatly appreciate this poem for its ability to convey themes of liberation, strength, and personal growth. It particularly resonates with me in the section that discusses taking off a mask. This imagery could suggest the powerful act of uncovering a new aspect of ourselves that we may have concealed due to negative influences, such as fears or past mistakes. This process can lead to a sense of liberation and self-discovery, helping us break free from the constraints of our past and embrace our authentic selves.
This poem really moved me. The line “Not saying I’m fake / More so removing my ugly / To reveal my beauty” stood out. It shows so much honesty and growth. I think your message about taking off emotional armor and learning to see your worth is something many people, especially men, aren’t always allowed to express. It made me think about the feminist idea that healing and self-love are also acts of resistance.
Wow, this poem is really deep! It’s like you’re talking about going from being stuck to finding your true self. I love how you say you’re taking off your mask to show the real you. It’s inspiring!
This poem makes me think about how we all go through tough times but can come out stronger. The part where you say you’re ‘free at last’ really stands out. It’s like you’re saying we can all change for the better.
This poem powerfully explores personal growth and self-discovery, using honest and emotional language to reflect on overcoming the past and striving for a better self. I especially enjoy the rhythm and momentum building towards the ending. While the message is strong, a few lines could be clearer grammar and have better transitions. Overall, it’s a heartfelt and inspiring piece that describes the journey of change.
Hi! I really liked your poem. The diction is so unique which really added to the work. Words like “parity” added to the variety and made it very engaging. I also like the flow of this poem, the way in which you craft a story that progresses as it goes on. I think the tone and perspective helped to move this story, using almost a back and forth style within the writing – as well as your unique voice – added to the overall product! Your poem was also really moving overall – the message at the end as you explain your sense of self and improvement made me really consider how I too view myself. Thank you!
AG this poem speaks loudly to me. It is all about attaining one’s genuine self. I love the line about accepting flaws and being free from your past. This is powerful self-actualization. Very inspiring. Please keep writing!
AG this poem is excellent. Self-improvement is a powerful force and I see this theme run through the poem very strongly. It is a good reminder to keep our humility, be authentic, and push ourselves out of any comfort zones. Very inspirational. Please keep up the good writing!
I love how there is so much accountability in this piece. At the start of this poem you question how to better yourself, but by the end you express this feeling like no matter the circumstances you will achieve a better version of yourself. There is so much strength in accountability, but simultaneously choosing to better yourself is commendable. I wish you well on your journey to betterment.
I love the way that you start the poem with a question that you answer throughout the poem. The line “starve off comfortability to create parity within” is so vivid and amazing. The rhythm of the lines “Free at last — free from my past” is beautiful and emphasizes the meaning. Thank you for your words.