Apparent Normal

A poem laced with my frustration about the grind, the pressure to smile and the way everyone's made this the norm is just absurd.

We spend so much time 

chasing something to no avail

Try to hold on to things 

even when we’re afraid

Knowing damn well tomorrow 

we’d wish we didn’t chase things 

just never meant to be.

When we’re deep in the waters,

 is when we realise our mistakes.

When our lungs are filled with stale air, 

is when we think of the possibilities we let go of in vain.

If it’s only human to feel like this, 

I wish I’d been born a fish.

I’d swim far away, 

into the depths or 

to the farthest reaches of any trench.

Without any limits, 

I’d race the sunlight 

and run from sharks, 

stick close to my shoal, 

and live freely without any roles.

Look up from where I’m swimming, 

see the sun kiss the blue, 

stay away from the boats and ships

 in case they carry me away. 

Back to the present,

 it’s hard being a man-child, 

too many emotions 

and too much stress 

to accommodate in our lives 

makes it hard to think for ourselves 

and what actually makes us smile.

Half the time, 

we’re trying to protect our hearts, 

but somehow end up hurting them more 

than they would’ve if we hadn’t built the walls.

Sometimes the world feels too big 

and my mind too small to explore it all. 

I feel so dumb, 

but then again, 

it’s only human to feel this way...right?

Author's Note

This piece is about how life feels mechanical and chaotic, where even after being a human, our emotions are somehow a burden. And how the world has made this rat race of a life so normal. Well, this is written more out of frustration and exhaustion, and it's just my take on how I feel it. Hope someone can relate, thank you for reading!

Reviews

[MCS]

Your writing captures the bump and grind of everyday life so vividly. These days, it feels harder than ever to step off the crazy train. I spend a lot of time around horses and dogs, and I don’t see that same angst in them. It must be a uniquely human burden. I really enjoyed this piece. Thanks for sharing.

[Cer]

Yes, exactly what I wanted to point out through this poem, I'm glad the message got through. Thanks for reading!