Embracing My Future

By JK

The secure embrace holds me in place
Keep me steady, slows my pace
Helps me see the light at the end of a dark tunnel
The storms have finally ceased, no longer a deep funnel

I’ve already confronted my past, I’ve moved forward to the present
This gift, that’s filled with a life that is pleasant
Most wouldn’t agree because of where I still sit
But I survived through the chaos so I wouldn’t forget

The reminder of a terrifying time,
Filled with worry, guilt and shame
Has turned into a humbling experiences
That gave me a brand new name

My future will be here soon enough
My prayer is that it happens fast
I have so many things to look forward to
And this too, shall be a blast

The song in my daughter’s voice
The intellect of my son’s words
The stone on my mother’s grave
The admiration in my man’s eye
Speak more than words can say

This future, this unknown time
This wonder-filled, hope for that day
Has filled my heart with so much joy
Cause I know God has paved the way

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43 Comments

  1. Tara Libert on February 15, 2023 at 5:03 PM

    I love this poem

  2. Courtney Dadley on February 17, 2023 at 12:17 AM

    Hey JK,

    I absolutely love your positivity and I sincerely hope you get everything you prayed for! I’m really glad I read your poem, thank you for sharing. Confronting your past can be a terrifying thing but it is necessary for growth and that’s exactly what you did. I am currently working on that now and it’s hard but I want to get to start living in the present and think of a happy future. Thank you!

    Sincerely,
    CD

  3. TM on February 17, 2023 at 1:00 PM

    To JK- The future is one of the things that are never certain. Even if you try so hard for it to be a certain way nothing is guaranteed. However, you do have a future, no matter how short or long it is you have one, so it’s important to make the most out of what your future can be. Confronting your past can help you make way for a better future by knowing what things happened in your past that may not have been the best circumstances. Even if you’re in a bad place right now it doesn’t mean you’ll have a bad future, everyone deserves a good future no matter what. Time is a constant reminder of your future getting “closer” and that can be a terrifying thing, I know I constantly feel rushed to make decisions that will better my future even if I’m not ready yet. Everyone’s future is unknown but that might be the beauty of it. Beautiful poem!

  4. eleni on February 17, 2023 at 4:37 PM

    This is such a beautiful poem about accepting your past in order to embrace the future. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Each experience, whether it be a positive or negative one, gives us insight that we did not have prior and teaches us something new. Often times, we don’t realize it in the moment, but every single thing that has happened to us makes us who we are. It’s hard to look back on our past and see things we wish we had done differently and not beat ourselves up about it, but at the end of the day we are reminded that the only reason we can look back on something and realize we were wrong is because we made that mistake in the first place. When we make peace with our past, we can be excited and look forward to all the things the future has to offer us. The last stanza is my favorite! It just radiates hope and positive vibes. I hope the future brings you nothing but love and joy, JK!

  5. Bryan W. on February 18, 2023 at 8:36 AM

    This piece shows strong introspection. The verse about coming to terms with the past and finding beauty in each day hit me. It’s difficult to confront the past; being able to do so shows strength. Enjoyable read.

  6. Charlie on February 18, 2023 at 1:28 PM

    The sense of faith you have is really beautiful. I think a lot of people struggle with guilt and shame and they can’t move forward because they spend all their time looking backward. Like Orpheus and Eurydice, as a metaphor for grief: that’s all you spend your time doing, looking back on the person you lost/the things you did. This poem really gets across the faith you have in your path and the life you want to live. The only critique I might have is in your first section, where you say “The storms have finally ceased, no longer a deep funnel.” The use of the word ‘funnel’ threw me off. I get what you’re going for conceptually, like a downward spiral, but the word ‘funnel’ brings to mind funnel cakes, or like a kitchen funnel and not really something serious. Other than that, a great poem and I wish you luck on your path. (●’◡’●)

  7. Maggie on February 19, 2023 at 7:14 PM

    I really like how this poem starts off at a low point but eventually starts to speak about your highs and all the good that has and is happening. I like that you brought in your faith and thanked god for paving the way. The future is such an unknown, but the only real way to look at it is through a positive lens and I like that you are depicting that as well. Great poem!

  8. Dulce on February 19, 2023 at 11:27 PM

    Thank you for sharing your poem. Your strength to keep pushing is so inspiring. Things will get better especially with your positive aspect on life. Remember to never give up and always keep pushing because things will get better and new opportunities and experiences are out there waiting for you. Great job and keep it up!

  9. Barry in VA on February 22, 2023 at 7:53 PM

    JK This is a strong , confident and optimistic poem. You keep looking forward with God’s help. Your family descriptions are emotionally moving. Well done, keep writing and believing.

  10. Abby on February 26, 2023 at 10:18 AM

    I love how this poem portrays hope and optimism, while not discounting self reflection and self growth. I thought that the rhyme scheme was very impactful. I also thought that it was well organized where the first half of the poem focuses on your reflection on the past while the second half is future driven. This was an amazing poem to read!

  11. Ashley T on February 26, 2023 at 2:34 PM

    Hi JK,
    Your recognition and acceptance of your past is so admirable, and I think you expressed it very well. Our past is something that we can never change, and accepting that and using it as motivation is a key to building a better future. If there is one thing we get out of our negative past experiences, it’s a lesson learned. I liked that you said “My future will be here soon enough
    My prayer is that it happens fast
    I have so many things to look forward to
    And this too, shall be a blast” , as it really encompasses how important it is to do good for ourselves now, so that our future selves will thank us. There really can be so much to look forward to if we realize how much of a control we have on our lives, and working through our past is such an important part of our future. Your poem was very well written, and I wish you the best in your future and think you are setting yourself up to have great experiences ahead of you!

  12. Matthew Handley on February 26, 2023 at 8:45 PM

    Hello! I really resonate with and love your message that our turbulent pasts only make us stronger. A pot with a crack has a history and has weathered a battle. And for that, it become more beautiful than before. Your willingness to overcome and adapt and learn from the past is what makes you a truly strong individual. It seems that you have much to look forward to in your future, and I pray that what you are looking for comes to you. Wishing you all the best, and I love this story you weave. Keep up the great work! 🙂

  13. Justin on February 27, 2023 at 7:14 PM

    JK,

    I love the optimism that you exude through your words. Its inspiring, especially considering your current circumstances. It’s easy for me to say… but don’t lose that optimism. You may be physically behind bars, but your mind is free.

  14. Codey Martioski on February 27, 2023 at 7:17 PM

    Such beautiful words and just overall astounding. That is amazing that you have accepted it as a part of you and have learned to move forward with that in mind and have allowed yourself to grow from the experience.

  15. Maria on February 28, 2023 at 8:53 PM

    Wow, this was really beautiful! You do such a great job capturing a vast array of emotions and embracing all of your experiences. The part about your children and mother was so touching. I felt hopeful reading your poem. Thank you for contributing this wonderful work.

  16. ML on March 1, 2023 at 11:53 AM

    I love how you start out on what is making you focus on your goal and making the references to the light at the end of the tunnel, I also really liked how you reflect on your past and mistakes and that is what I think we learn best from our mistakes, but don’t get stuck looking back too long or else you might repeat them. Hearing about your kids voices really brings the picture into my head for this poem is like and how you wanted to get across it to your readers.

  17. Peter Zhang on March 3, 2023 at 10:46 PM

    The title “Embracing the future” first gave me the impression that the majority of the portion will be talking about the excitness and potentials of the future. However, I was surprised that the author started the poem by describing the dark past and how it shaped us today. It is true that without the past, there would be no us now. I like how everyone can grow out of the previous shadows and anticipate a more interesting future.

  18. Oshane on March 7, 2023 at 1:38 AM

    Hi JK,

    Very positive and uplifting message. My favorite line is:
    “I’ve already confronted my past, I’ve moved forward to the present.” As it reminds me of the importance of learning to leave the past behind and embrace forgiveness, finding hope and joy in the future.

    Thanks for sharing this inspiring piece!

  19. Emilie on March 8, 2023 at 1:19 PM

    I love how beautifully blunt this poem is. There is a flow of sadness, acknowledgment, optimism, and hope. I agree with the end of this as I take religion seriously in my own personal life. God has definitely paved the way for you. Everyone has a plan, no matter what that may be. I also pray that you find the light at the end of the tunnel soon and achieve all you want in your future.

  20. KC on March 13, 2023 at 1:16 PM

    JK,

    Thank you for sharing your poem! Our pasts can be painful, but pain shapes our character. I’m glad you see the progress you’ve made in your family. Keep writing!

  21. Caroline on March 15, 2023 at 4:07 PM

    I just got chills from this poem. As a God-fearing person, this is just wow. I have no words. The future can be so scary, the unknown and all of the uncertainty. But this, wow, you know that there is a better future ahead because God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers and that is you, my friend. We all go through hard times and rough patches in our life but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. There is always hope for what is on the other side of where you are right now. The point of life is to find something positive in each day and I believe that this poem is you finding something to look forward to at the end of each day and that is something I aspire to do. I am going to bring your amazing poem to all of my friends and make them realize how opportunistic they can be! I need to learn from you as well because this poem is something to live by. Thank you for giving me a new perspective today I really needed it. Keep up the amazing work my friends! 🙂

  22. Kai C on March 18, 2023 at 11:35 PM

    I loved this poem. This was great work. Keep it up.

  23. Evelyn on March 22, 2023 at 2:21 PM

    This poem really resonates with me. Moving on from the past surely is hard, and I still do struggle with it to this day, but you make it so easy to do in your poem of mentioning focusing on the future and not worrying about the past, but where you are right now in the present. When you mention the unknown time in the future, it made me think about how scary and how thrilling that is at the same time. It’s a very interesting line, and I love how you incorporated it into your poem. Thank you for your words and making me think about my future.

  24. Rohan on March 27, 2023 at 1:38 AM

    “Embracing My Future” by JK is a heartfelt and inspiring poem that captures the essence of moving forward from past struggles and embracing the possibilities of the future. The poem highlights the importance of finding strength and hope in the midst of difficult times and the power of faith in paving the way towards a brighter future. The imagery used in the poem is vivid and evocative, creating a sense of peace and stability amidst uncertainty. Overall, it is a beautiful and uplifting piece of writing.

  25. RB on March 27, 2023 at 1:16 PM

    This is a great perspective about the future that I needed to read about. I love how hopeful and positive the poem is. The future can be scary but you do a good job encouraging the reader to see it in a better light.

  26. Ava on March 30, 2023 at 10:01 AM

    I love this poem! You really show passion in your words and meanings. The future is scary because you don’t know what is ahead of you. God watches over you and is helping you! You should know I have faith in you and I believe that you can do amazing things! I hope your future is as bright as you have imagined it! Keep writing, and don’t stop believing!

  27. Gabe on March 30, 2023 at 10:08 AM

    To JK,
    I love this poem. In a way I feel like you, my parents have worked hard to give me the opportunity to be at a private school. When you wrote ‘the stone of my mothers grave’ I felt that man. I’m Hispanic and my grandparents are all in Mexico so I don’t really know them that well, but my uncle had parents close to home. Those were my grandparents. 3 years ago my uncles dad died. He was my only grandpa and he was gone. Then last year 3 days before Christmas my grandparents on my dads side died. I knew them better than my other grandparents. I know our situation is different but I hope your future is bright.

  28. Ema on March 30, 2023 at 3:16 PM

    I love this poem because it shows you can move on from your past. It helped me remember that I have a good future ahead of me despite the hardships I’ve faced in the past. Thank you. 🙂

  29. Derek T. on March 30, 2023 at 3:18 PM

    Hey JK,
    I love this poem because of how positive it is and it tells us to think about the future and not pass. This reminds me of my brother in lacrosse because he never gave up and kept playing even getting servilely hurt. I will always remember this poem and when I read it again I will think about my brother.

  30. Grace on April 4, 2023 at 10:30 PM

    Hi there!
    I really enjoyed reading this poem and I resonated a lot with it. I think that many people try to stay in a mindset where they don’t think about the future because they are scared of what it may hold, whether good or bad. I think that while living in the moment is a good thing, I also think that it’s healthy to not fear the future and what it could bring, and I think that this poem is already inspiring for having a positive outlook. I relate immensely to the first few lines, “the secure embrace holds me in place.” As a college student, I have always tried to embrace the future, but there have been times where it’s been terrifying to do that because I have endured past failures and I’ve made mistakes, but the security of knowing that I’m going to have a bright future has always calmed me down. I think that it calms everyone down to some extent, because everyone at the end of the day just wants to succeed in life, whatever their own unique definition of success is. I think that it truly is the light at the end of the tunnel, and I believe that it goes for any person at any place in life. We work so hard, and we hope for an end result, and when we reach the desired end result or goal, we feel relief and we feel as though our hard work paid off and it gives us motivation to set more goals and reach those goals. I think that the second verse of the poem is so important to recognize as well because in order to move on, and keep achieving our goals, we must confront our pasts in order to live in the present moment. We must forgive ourselves for our mistakes, and we must recognize our own growth. I also think that as someone who has dealt with anxiety and depression at points in my life, that the line about life being a gift filled with so many pleasant things, is critical to remember because if we don’t recognize the good things in life, we will lose out on so much. We will forget to be grateful and one of my favorite quotes that fits this situation is “without the darkness, we cannot recognize or be grateful for the light.” I think it’s amazing that you have found such a positive mindset and you have used your experiences to further yourself and to help others instead of continuing to fear what could happen in the future. Overall, I loved this entire poem and I thank you for sharing. I wish you all the best.

  31. Denise on April 9, 2023 at 9:49 PM

    JK,
    Wow, such a beautiful poem, full of life and longing, and hope and health.

    “This gift, that’s filled with a life that is pleasant”
    and
    “That gave me a brand new name”

    Two of my favorite lines!

  32. Samoht on April 15, 2023 at 7:04 PM

    It’s beautiful to read such optimism and hope in your words. It’s inspiring to see how you’ve confronted and overcome the challenges of your past, and how you look forward to a future filled with love, family, and joy. It takes courage and strength to move forward and leave the past behind, but it seems like you’ve found the strength within you to do so. Keep holding on to your faith and the love of those around you, and your future will surely be bright.

  33. Ethan Reyes on April 15, 2023 at 7:37 PM

    I love this inspirational poem. This poem is a beautiful expression of gratitude and hope for the future. The author reflects on the challenges they have faced in the past and how they have overcome them. The metaphor of a secure embrace holding the author in place is powerful, conveying a sense of safety and stability that has allowed the author to confront their past and move forward. The author acknowledges that others may not see their life as pleasant due to external circumstances, but they find joy in the simple things like the sound of their daughter’s voice or the admiration in their partner’s eye. The poem ends on a hopeful note, with the author expressing their faith in God and the belief that the future will be filled with wonder and joy. Overall, this poem is a beautiful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope and gratitude to transform our lives. I really appreciate you and your creativeness

  34. IK on April 16, 2023 at 10:09 PM

    JK,
    The way you describe the secure embrace that holds you steady and helps you move forward is a powerful metaphor for overcoming difficult times. Your words remind readers that our past does not define us and that we can always move forward towards a brighter future. Thank you for sharing your message of hope and resilience.

  35. Jatan on April 16, 2023 at 10:46 PM

    JK,

    I enjoyed how the poem describes how a secure embrace helped you move forward from a past full of worry, guilt, and shame. While the past can be painful, it is really wonderful how you look forward to the future. To find joy and hope in the unknown future is truly inspiring.

  36. A. on April 17, 2023 at 12:09 AM

    Your poem reflects a sense of resilience and hope in the face of past challenges. It speaks to the power of moving forward, leaving behind the difficulties of the past and embracing a brighter future. The mention of loved ones and the role of faith adds depth to the emotions conveyed in the poem. Thank you for sharing such a lovely poem.

  37. Amelia on April 17, 2023 at 9:38 PM

    Jk, this poem is so good! On the literature standpoint you have an incredible rhyme scheme and great imagery. I love some of the words you used to describe important things/moments in your life! This poem is truly so inspiring and I can definitely see how much effort you put into these words in order to convey emotion. Nice work on this poem, I truly think you have a real talent with this!

  38. YM on April 18, 2023 at 4:05 PM

    Hello JK!

    I have to say this poem is incredibly strong and very positive. Confronting the past in order to finally move on is something difficult for many and through this poem, I believe you highlighted the most crucial aspects of healing and moving on. This poem also expressed that it doesn’t matter how others criticize you based on your past but surviving through that moment in life and feeling good about yourself is more important. I love that notion a lot in the beginning because it gives a lot of hope and introspection about one’s life. I must also express that I love the rhyming in each stanza, it makes it flow beautifully and also gives the poem a more powerful impact upon reading. Thank you for sharing this poem!

  39. Kimora on May 5, 2023 at 7:18 AM

    This poem is very nice about embracing the future by respecting the past. Everything happens for a reason is something I really believe in. Every event, whether it’s a good or bad one, teaches us something new and provides us with new insight.

  40. Alex on May 10, 2023 at 11:19 AM

    JK, your poem was full of optimism and resilience. Your metaphor about a strong embrace was so beautiful. I hope that you can continue looking forward and embracing the future ahead of you.

  41. Sophia on May 10, 2023 at 2:49 PM

    This is beautiful. It is so full of love and hope that it has the same impact on me, great job connecting to your readers. I loved the rhymes in the beginning and the pictures you painted with words. You’re telling such a beautiful story and I really enjoyed how you explained the storms you have gone through and came out of. I’ve re-read this a few times now and it gets better and better. Thank you for sharing this and I’m excited for your future too!

  42. Peter Dang on May 16, 2023 at 5:34 PM

    This poem beautifully captures the essence of family, intertwining emotions, and bonds that resonate deep within my heart. Moreover, it also taught me to accept my past I order to embrace my future.

  43. Maíra on May 18, 2023 at 4:21 PM

    Thank you for sharing this poem; it spoke to me today. The fifth stanza (is this the correct term? I’m not a native English speaker) is my favorite: hopeful, sad, lovely, all at once.

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