In the Light For Too Long

This poem travels in time from a child's innocence to an adult's performance to ask a question about what we lose when the world is always watching. "Fame fades. Who you are doesn't".

I. When the Light Found a Kid

Once upon a time, there was a kid;
mud was there on their knees.
Kids talked to trees as though they could talk back.
There was such a gigantic wild laughter that I cannot describe.
Then came a camera.
Games of "wow" followed.
Then came the script.

Suddenly every minute was a take.
An on-cue smile.
Stay awake for one more take.
Let studies wait for the swing

And joy became a scheduled thing,
the kid's world was now shiny and fast.
Nobody asked the kid-whether they actually liked that shining.

Sure they got the praises.
Applause. Click. Confetti.
But they lost the dirt.
Messes.
The dirty and beautiful and boring stuff that going through being a kid is.
Like falling without fear.
Like crying when there is no camera waiting.

They grew up so fast,
but badly,
unlike growing the way where one learns the self;
just the way where others begin telling you who you are.
---
II. The Entire Show Star

Now they are adults.
Kind of.
They smile on cue
Talk like news release.
Every word measured.
Every move calculated.

They made it loud and big so that it is everywhere.
The name is loud.
The rooms part.
The perks are everywhere.

But something is missing.
Like... they forgot what it meant to just sit like this
to listen without waiting to respond;
to hurt people.

Success taught them to win.
But not to lose with some grace.
Or to say I'm sorry first.
Or not to say anything at all.

They used to feel.
Now they enact feeling.
---
III. The Ones Who Were Once

There are those who once were hot, under all the lights.
There still sort of are.
Not because the light was on them
But because they can't get off the limelight.

They say, "Back in my day...all the time."
And maybe they are right.
Maybe their day was something.
They have lived and loved.
They have led.
Their stories do count.

But there are times when...
They wear the past as a shield.
Or as proof.
That they are worthy of the front seat,
Even when the show is gone.

And maybe they have forgotten
That respect is not something you ask for,
Respect is something you give.
Still.

IV. What Fame Does

Never does fame scream.
It whispers.
Soft, sweet, seductive.
"You deserve this."
"You are above them,"
"You don't have to put in any effort anymore."

And then slowly,
you start to stop saying thank you.
You forget to ask for anything.
You interrupt more.
You nod less.

You forget that you were once
a child under trees,
chasing clouds,
rather than followers.
---
V. And After All That?

They do the ending.
Spots turn off some way or the other.

And what stays behind?
The applause?
Blue tick marks? Headlines?

No.
What stays behind is how well you treated other human beings when no one was looking.

So if you are ever in the spotlight,
stand in it.
But don't lose your shadow along the way.
Do not forget your own name while they are an echo of it in a thousand loud voices.

Fame is a fire. It either burns or warms.
Let fame warm you.
Do not let it burn you.
---
✨ Be more than what people see.
Be someone you would want to be
even if the crowd were not clapping.

Author's Note

"I got the idea for writing and inspiration after reading a newspaper article that explored the impact of fame from the innocence of childhood all the way to old age. It really stuck with me, how the spotlight can shape, lift, and sometimes quietly undo a life."
If there are any mistakes, I hope you’ll forgive me I'm still learning.

Reviews

[carl]

I think I saw a quote not long ago that said -" never have so many received so much attention for doing so little." If I didn't see it then I just said it - but your starting section seems to capture the emphasis on the selfie generation and the addiction to likes / and the section Those who were once speaks very clearly to me as an older adult with the admonition to be satisfied and appreciative of the fact that I'm still allowed to be present on the ride even if it's in the back seat. Enjoyed the piece - a lot to consider - well said - carl

[Neha agrawal]

Carl, whether you saw it or said it .that quote is gold. And your reflection is spot on. There’s something humbling and wise about recognizing the beauty of just being present, even if we’re no longer in the spotlight. Grateful you connected with the piece really appreciate your thoughtful take.

[John Sullivan]

This is really, really good. This is better than my mind can wrap around right now, so I'll leave another response in a little while. What we might say of fame sounds a great deal of what we might say of life. We are all the lead actors in our little movies, after all. Of course, I'm getting old, old enough to be yesterday's news... how we desire the comfort of our laurels, perhaps... perhaps at the risk of becoming... motionless? Anyways. Well done, and nice to meet you.

[Neha agrawal]

Thank you so much that means a lot. It’s lovely to meet you too. And yes, maybe we all just want to matter a little, without standing still for too long. Looking forward to your thoughts when you're ready.

[Soren]

I love the progression from childhood to adult and the progression as well of how we treat others. In this is good advice as to how to treat others I enjoyed this read and felt it delivered its message well. Very nice

[Neha agrawal]

Thank you, truly. I'm so glad the message came through and resonated with you. That means everything.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Hello Neha. After reading this through a couple times, I went to read your profile, but could not find one. I was wondering if you, yourself had experienced fame. Because you said you were inspired by a newspaper article, I am guessing you have not. One of the best pieces of advice regarding writing that I ever received is: write about what you know firsthand, write about your own experiences. Fame is such a big and complicated experience, I admire your willingness, your inspiration to tackle the subject. I REALLY like the last two verses. Well done. MSB

[Neha agrawal]

Hello Michael,
I am not fame, and I don't want it. It happened that I read an article which gave me a new idea — I was among a great many people who were inspired by it. I realize fame is a complex thing and I am not against the experience of it. Everyone is entitled to have it the way they want.
The thing I just said was from inspiration, not a personal story. The article definitely makes me aware of the situation that is going on around us, and in my opinion, the writers are not only the ones who write about themselves — they also compose the world, the people whom they meet, the stories, and the things that move them.
For myself, I was into dancing once, and along that way, I encountered quite several people who had completely lost themselves in such a way to become famous. That was the only thing which got me thinking. Besides that, many of my schoolmates who made a TV appearance on national channels have encountered difficulties afterward. One of my good friends is involved in the film business, and through their eyes, I’ve witnessed the process that fame can be the source of the people’s changes.
Now, when I tell you that the article represents only my inspiration, I really mean it — it’s the things that I have gone through and seen that form its basis even though the whole text is not about me.
Thank you for your time to read and write a comment I appreciate it 😊