One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise.

Homecoming

Kara Dobias

The world wants to be kind, I think.

But too often, we are warned of its dangers

before we can meet its light.

I learned to live in the shadow

of others’ fear and felt it manifest

as my own,

self-censoring the softest

parts of me out of safety,

but I’m becoming something new.

I don’t want to be good so much as brave.

To make the agreement to be disagreeable

when it counts.

If I am to be beholden to anything,

let it be

truth,

so that I may stand as a pillar of a woman

you can lean on.

I’ll lay myself bare,

and for once, not worry about

the consequences.

Instead, I’ll choose to embrace

the perfect contradiction

I know myself to be.

The very version of me I learned

to outrun.

You can only ignore the gnawing of your soul for so long.

So, who have I been denying myself for?

An internal tug-of-war that has stood only

to hurt me.

To be a beacon of sincerity,

I must show you my true face.

I’m easily disillusioned by the mundane.

The creator runs deep in my marrow.

Left an untapped well,

I become undone.

I need something I can pour into.

That’s the only way

I feel whole.

I was never meant to live within the bounds

of a limited imagination.

I came here to break the mold.

This is the end of my season of seeking.

No more performing to be palatable.

I give myself permission to feel safe

in being seen.

Let opinions fall where they may.

I’d rather inspire confusion

than be a vessel for unfulfilled dreams.

Finally, I’ve come home

to me.

More from Kara Dobias ↓

• @karadobias on Instagram
• @karadobias on Substack
• Her book, Alive, is available now

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