There was a time, not so long ago,
Where I had planned how every moment of my life would go.
I was promised a future that was very bright,
To which I got down on my knees and prayed for every night.
I was a beacon of devotion in everything I did,
But still, inside, I had secrets I hid.
There is a certain culture, a specific way of life,
With any act of disobedience, I felt shame like a sharp knife.
I figured I was the problem, so I put my doubts on my shelf, without end,
And no matter how hard I searched, even in this place, I could never find a friend.
So my heart turned cold, I felt a constant anger plague my heart,
At a certain point, I could not contain it, I had to throw the dart.
It landed in bright places that I had always been forbidden to go,
I searched in deep caverns and spacious valleys, but nowhere felt like home.
Eventually, I learned to accept being alone,
And I felt like a child again, but also starved to the bone.
I realized that most people who said they loved me,
Only loved the girl who I used to be.
Today, I am learning that emptiness is beautiful and my future can still be bright,
And even if there is not one right answer, life is still worth the fight.
Because someday I will be a mother, and I will have a daughter,
She will know that she is loved, and that will be enough for her.
When I think about the little girl who I used to be,
I miss her, but I also cry for the first time, knowing that I am untamed and free.
*Title taken from "The Little Prince," and this poem is part of my 2025 NaPo collection!
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125,021 Literary Works • 672,740 Reviews
Surprised to find such a great piece in the Green Room. But it's not going to stay here any longer, rest assured.
Let's start with what what I liked the most about this poem. Undoubtedly, it would have to be how deeply it resonates with the reader. The story you describe hits close to home. Being the good obedient kid from early on in life, I could also feel the overwhelming weight of it crush me from within. Despite ticking all the boxes people want you to, you end finding yourself without a friend when the day ends. All that you have is an empty promise of a bright future, unending doubts, and the secrets you hide. Smallest acts of disobedience make you feel shame in your soul, as if you've committed a great sin. Overtime, these feelings only grow and worsen. You can feel your heart be consumed by the coldness and fuming anger. There comes a point in life when you just can't take it anymore. You decide to break free of all the chains that were tying you down. However, liberty doesn't always look as beautiful as you thought it would. Freedom comes at a certain price. You can discover places you were forbidden to but they don't feel like home. You feel empty within and deprived of love. But you learn that you were never loved before anyways, all they loved was a girl who'd do what she was told. Most people in your life didn't love you for your thoughts or just being you, they loved you for your submission alone. You may think you're alone now but in truth, you've always been. From the death of your life as you knew it, blooms a flower of future hope. Embracing the unknown and resolving to not pass on the trauma you faced. There are days you miss who you once were. At the same time, you're overjoyed of the fact that you're no longer tamed, a marionette of someone else's will no more.
Some of my absolute favorite lines include-
The first one acknowledges the ambiguity of life. We are always in an attempt to make the right choices, but there are several instances in life where there isn't one. Each path has its own consequences that must be dealt with. But that doesn't make life any more valuable or worth fighting for. Such a strong message!
The second line is so heartfelt, a girl rendering her daughter a love she never herself received. Instead of becoming bitter as a result of it, she chooses not to pass on the pain to her next generation. It takes utmost courage to limit all the bad experiences you've had, all to yourself.
The third line is brimming with emotions- they're all over the place. The crying depicting the duality of the situation. She utterly misses the old her and her shielded life before, sympathizing with what her younger self had to go through.
Talking of more technical aspects, the rhyme scheme is AABB that is carried throughout the entire poem, truly impressive. I never felt the flow of the poetry break for the sake of meeting the rhyming ends. It's like they both strike the perfect harmony together.
Overall, it's a magnificent piece depicting growth and change. The transformation from an obedient kid to an adult to chooses to explore her own path is as epic as it is scary. But a butterfly too timid to step out of its cocoon is no good than a caterpillar. One must be her own master. Don't ignore your intuition and doubts that you're living an unfulfilled and limited life. Be too docile, and you'll end up being tamed- the unspoken law of nature. The title perfectly reflects this. Before, you cry about the loneliness you feel despite being perfectly compliant. Later, your past trauma haunts you and you cry regretting not living your best life, societal expectations be damned. The poem resonated deeply and I loved every word of it. Hope to read more from you, sometime soon.
I love this so much. I've always thought some horses were meant to roam free and wild. Why break their spirits? This reminds me of just that. It breaks my heart for you to have felt so alone and neglected, but you have risen from the ashes and stand tall on your own two feet. Resilience is a powerful survival skill that you seem to have plenty of. Keep on writing and telling your story, and I'll keep rooting you on.
I love this so much. I've always thought some horses were meant to roam free and wild. Why break their spirits? This reminds me of just that. It breaks my heart for you to have felt so alone and neglected, but you have risen from the ashes and stand tall on your own two feet. Resilience is a powerful survival skill that you seem to have plenty of. Keep on writing and telling your story, and I'll keep rooting you on.
I loved this poem so much! And I related to it so much
The way I raced to read this poem because I recognized the title omg
ellie, i love this!!! i feel like it captures that feeling of searching, and doubt in yourself--but then follows it up with an amazing conclusion of looking to the future. i honestly cannot wait for your napo thread, you are such a magnificent poet :D
Thank you, chem! This means so much to me and is so encouraging <33