Last month, I participated in a poetry contest on Instagram. We were to write a poem not longer than 12 lines with the words “I thought I knew you but” in it. I decided to challenge myself and wrote three poems instead of one. Though the results haven’t been announced, I’m glad I did this because it took me out of my comfort zone.

I shared the three poems below and would like you to tell me which one you love the most.

1.
I thought I knew you
but your words became insulting
your behaviour became confusing
your demeanor became controlling
and I realized I was living with a stranger

2.
I never thought
I would utter the words
“I thought I knew you but”
in a sentence about you
but life has shown me that
we never really know anyone else besides ourselves
and even that is a continuous discovery too

3.
You were always there
through my lonely nights
and my troubled times
You knew me
and I thought I knew you
but I guess I was only taking and never giving
because I didn’t see your troubles
neither did I see your sadness
I’m sorry I was selfish
I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you
and now it’s too late for me to try

Have you ever thought you knew someone only discover that you never really knew them?

Mariam Shittu