Upon my shoulders the world has been placed;
my burden, against my will and protest.
I, a bird, return to an empty nest;
my potential plundered, and then displaced.
The badge I wear leaves me feeling disgraced,
revolted by the skin in which I’m dressed.
My path and progression have both been pressed
and I am hollowed by my hate and haste.
I discover my chains, long since removed;
I was both the prisoner and jailor.
My fear of failure so often abused;
I, not the designer, but the tailor.
Before I can consider creation,
I must face the coming devastation.
2021©DSCoremans
Author’s Note:
This poem was used as inspiration for today’s Poetry Prompt. I wrote this poem early in the last lockdown. It is a reflection on unhappiness, particularly related to the situations we place ourselves within. I often feel overwhelmed by the burdensome nature of being a family carer, and as I adjusted to providing care to two adult members of my family round the clock without any reprieve or respite I used poetry to process my own hesitation toward the life I had found myself living. The constant pull between meeting others needs and leaving your own wants unfulfilled is still something I struggle with, but in creativity I have not only found a means of expressing myself, but a space to process what it means to live the lives we must live, beyond what we may choose.
This is also the main poem which inspired both of the short form companion pieces which I posted earlier today:
Cinquain – Fear
DSC 12/02/2021
Picture Used Taken: Florida, USA (September 2008) ©DSCoremans
Happy Writing. Stay Safe. Stay Distracted.
Hmmm!