From our many contests and many submissions, Story Institute brings you a collection of poems and short stories. Writers from around the globe have shared their works with us. We, in turn, share them with you.
If you wish to view just the poems, or perhaps prefer the short stories, click on the links to the side. Enjoy the shared creativity.
Poem - Perfect Man - Damien Livingston
By: Damien Livingston
Just foolish, thinking I can be a perfect man
Look at my face masked wit incorrect thoughts
Or this body of mine… that has been bathed in self ignorance
Listen to the words I speak from the depth of my mouth that are not genuine but are instead dishonest and misleading
Or the loss look in my eyes… smothered with life’s tragedies
I’m just foolish, for there is only one who’s perfect
Why do I ache for approval from relatives and friends …, or, lust for acceptance from foreign faces
Where did I misplace my self respect, or bury my integrity
What would make me sacrifice my inner potency, for shame and guilt
Most times I feel lost in this abandoned house known as my Life
Unsheltered from self-hatred, adverse depression and redundant let downs
Yet, I find myself looking for a savior
Looking for someone to feel sorry for me
Yearning for compassion…, starving for unbeneficial pity
Chasing a mirage of a Perfect man
Left me scorn, drowning in a sea of hatred
For I forgot to accept myself, forgot to believe in myself… but most of all I forgot to love myself
I forgot to tell myself that as long as I give it my all
I’m am perfect, perfectly me as I can be
Shared Short Stories - Short Stories from Story Institute contests and publications