Blog post by Nadia Halliday
“How was I inspired to write this poem? In 2011, I was having a mental breakdown and admitted myself to Green Parks, part of Princess Royal University Hospital, Bromley. I did so with the help of a professional who is now a trusted friend. My boyfriend of four years had been calling me and then cutting off the calls. He stopped going out with me because of the color of my skin. It was the last straw.
I wrote this poem from the heart while in my hospital room.
I revisit it from time to time, finding different nuances in my writing. It still rings true for me, still has relevance, and holds eternal value. I hope that by sharing this, it helps other people too. I recited this poem at ‘She Growls’ last year. While I still feel a rawness with it, it now gives me strength and wisdom. “

The Consciousness of Me
I can never be You
You can never be Me
And what I can do
Is look into the consciousness of Me
We are a Me throughout the whole of our lives
I can never be a You
And what I can do
Is look into You & see
Through the eyes of Me
I look at the world and see
That we all label ourselves as Me
Some ‘Me’s are loud and proud
Standing strong, in authority
Some me’s are small & almost silent
You forever are important the little that is Me
From this comes love
From this comes enquiry
Instead of “Them & Us“
It’s always “Us“ & “We“
From this there is questioning
Hardly ever accusations
From this is patience & forbearance
And acceptance for the Me that is Us
And the Us that shows Me.
We each of us are mirrors to each other
Showing the same
And shining alternate ways of being
Whether better or worse ways
We somehow always mirror Me
So when We look into each others eyes…
[No] when we look into MY eyes
What do I see?
I see divine, I see worship
I see ancient, I see now
I see vulnerable, I see child
I see passion & compassion
I see anger…
I feel hurt, I feel pain
I feel love, I feel fear
I feel that big question “why am I here?“
I feel whole & expanded
I feel broken
I see and feel all this
Not a word is spoken…
All of this & more I see
When I look into the consciousness of Me
So I can’t hurt you
You’re part of Me
You’re my right arm, right leg, right eye
Cutting off is not an option
You’re part of the consciousness of Me
