late
broken
incomplete
misunderstood
unable to prove
“If you would just try.”
disappointment in their eyes
defeated layers of books and papers
accustomed to going unnoticed
“Why can’t you be …?”
“Why didn’t you?”
just below the line
left far behind
deep sighs
“Again?”
shame.
© Ali Grimshaw
This poem is shaped like a bell curve to represent the people who have endured feelings of shame for not performing in a way that someone deemed as success.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 
Great post
Pls see this
https://reveuse014.wordpress.com/2018/05/06/expectations/
LikeLike
Thank you. I will take a look.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Ali this is beautiful. So much realness here 💜💜 you are such a blessing. Thank you for being here. Love, Debbie
LikeLiked by 2 people
Debbie, I appreciate knowing that you feel the realness of my words. Thank you. Have a beautiful, blessed day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This was very powerful, Ali! Too many people have been shamed, in school and other areas, simply because they couldn’t meet expectations. It’s so sad…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have always liked the quote,
“Not everything that can be counted counts.
Not everything that counts can be counted.” thought to be said by Einstein but now Stephen Ross is being credited.
Regardless, I want to encourage reflection about the way we design systems and how they impact people.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! It is indeed such suffering to have to live up to definitions created by others!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sometimes assessments create more harm than help. Thanks for chiming in on this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true. You are very welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
shame.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is a powerful word indeed.
LikeLike
Well then your experiment worked into a shape low and high expectations
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Ivor. It is always great to hear from you.
LikeLike
It’s a powerful poem Ali and captures perfectly so many emotions. Beautifully formed.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I really appreciate this comment. I really appreciate your comment. Thanks for letting me know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
wonderful
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLike
Wow what fantastic structure. I love how it builds and then very nearly fades away…
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you so much. I have been experimenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see that, I like where it’s going
LikeLiked by 1 person