Imitation 5 : (90's) Marianne Williamson, Our Deepest Fear

"Our Deepest Fear" Marianne Wiliamson 1992

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.

We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

This poem is a critique of the powerful, those in control that can exploit the weak or disadvantaged. The poem is in response to Nelson Mandela's incarceration because of going against the government of South Africa. The white South African were oppressing the blacks, the blacks were forced to live in segregated areas and were discriminated against. When Williamson says that "our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure" shows the responsibilities power comes with and how easily it can be abused while in the wrong hands. The audience is the owners and those who have, it is a message to them to use their power wisely and not hurt people with it. Literal meaning, line, tone and metaphor are literary elements exemplified in this poem .There is no rhyme scheme.