Today’s prompt comes to us from this list of “all-time favorite writing prompts.” It asks you to name your alter-ego, and then describe him/her in detail. Then write in your alter-ego’s voice. Maybe your alter-ego is a streetwise detective, or a superhero, or a very small goldfinch. Whoever or whatever your alternate self may be, I hope this prompt lets you stretch both your writing skills and your self-knowledge.

Here’s what I found after talking to my alter ego 🙂

Poem: In tête-à-tête with my alter ego

“I am who I am,” I said candidly,

“Really? Don’t you ever feel the urge to be ME?”

“You? Who are you? Do I even know you?” I asked inquisitively

She laughed, “I am your alter ego, the one you don’t care to see!”

–

I am that small voice that keeps whispering to you,

Asking you to overstep the boundaries,

But you always choose to ignore me,

For the goodness in you doesn’t let you be ME

–

I ask you to extend your limits but you stay grounded,

I urge you to explore the world but you are confounded,

I nudge you to forget about others and focus on yourself,

I wish you would spend your life with the one you love

–

I want you to contend and stand for your rights,

I want to see you dance and foray in night,

I want you to follow your deepest passions,

Without care for societal assent or sanctions

–

If I came to the fore, I would indulge myself,

I would defy some restraints, walk over some breadths,

I would take some load off and accept some slipups,

I would enjoy my life on just my terms

–

The small whispering voice was now yelling in silence,

Her words moved my soul, and echoed in my head,

A few lessons from tête-à-tête with my alternate self

A promise to be an authentic version of myself!

–

©Vandana Bhasin

08.04.2022