That Does Not Deter Me Poem by Jim Yerman

All my life I've loved to draw…the many people and things in front of me.
The only problem is the things I draw…don't always look like what I see.

It seems it should be easy which is why I do not understand
how the beauty I see before me gets distorted by my hands

I can draw the sun, a house, and occasionally…a cloud
but all my other drawings would only make Picasso's mother proud.

My drawings might be simple, they might be incoherent and raw
but that does not deter me…for I still love to draw.

All my life I've loved to dance…the moment I feel the beat
but it's hard to find the right rhythm when I was born with two left feet.

When people see me dancing (trust me it's not a pretty sight)
they usually call for a doctor and ask if I'm all right.

My movements might be simple…might make some think I'm in a trance
but that does not deter me…for I still love to dance.

All my life I've loved to sing…how I envy all the birds….
for they like me are happy singing when they don't know all the words.

I think of myself as a nightingale whose voice is beautiful once let loose…
but from what I've been told by others…I sound more like a goose.

My voice may sound more like a bird who has a broken wing….
but that does not deter me…for I still love to sing.

I was lucky that a long time ago I came to understand
I don't need to be an artist, a professional dancer or a singer in a band.

For despite my little drawbacks I am as happy as a clam
Happy drawing and dancing and singing…just the way I am.