CAROLINE CLARK ’23

PHILADELPHIA, PA

I will be presenting my writing in an array of mediums – through poetry, short stories, and personal reflections. I started this project in August when I concluded that I have always created and written out of love yet I have struggled to do so with confidence. My Sorenson Arts presentation, “Meeting An Equilibrium of Love and Confidence” will be a culmination of my hardwork, creative expression, and self-love.

An Equilibrium:

In August of twenty-twenty-two,

I realized that I had been missing a piece of myself.

My writing, my painting, my relationships –they were all rooted in love.

But what do we do when love runs out?

We must believe in ourselves.

Through my ability to write about my hardships,

I’ve inspired others on behalf of my vulnerability and artistic expression.

Yet until now – I never quite understood the impact of my words.

In the heat of turbulent change, I am a twenty-two year old woman looking to make the most of my life.

My goal is to leave this Earth and every place I touch better than I left it.

But without self-love, self-reflection, and continual introspection,

We are nothing.

I’ve been running around for years now, Looking for an ailment for my shortcomings. Yet it was not until I looked in the mirror did I know what I needed.

Maybe the reason why I’ve lost it is because I gave too much of it away.

Love is not an infinite resource.

To love oneself is to love your brain despite its defects,

It’s loving your body despite its uneven curvatures, It’s looking back on your old archives and not hating the person you used to be.

It’s accepting the fact that we are impermanent beings.

One day, I will master the balance – between self-admiration and self-credence…

I will meet an equilibrium of self-love and selfconfidence.