A life this feels as down as borrowed,
with no accomplished dreams of my own;
A lifeβit couldn't be called β
so dull and full of sorrows,
underneath it shows the mirrors of the saddestβ
What I wanted to be and into whom I've grown...
Distinct I hearβloud and clear
the rummaging of my heartfelt desires,
turned around and saw what I fearedβ
the youth always bad at tasks
had marched away and gone...
That was the life, which I could call 'mine'
but betrayed it I with a better form,
now 'cause I know that disapproving the imperfect,
was another wrong...
Trust me 'cause I lived a borrowed life,
pretending perfection,
for all the truth has now come to meβ
"I did make a terrible decision"...
For, to grow into what you dream,
a borrowed life you don't need,
just the incapable self that knows you greatβ
is far more better than how good a borrowed life seems...
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125,008 Literary Works • 672,832 Reviews
This poem offers a thoughtful reflection on identity, regret, and the pressure to become someone we think we should be. At its heart, it is about looking back on life and realizing that, in trying to chase a better version of yourself, you may have lost touch with the person you really were.
The poemβs strongest idea is the image of a βborrowed life.β It is a phrase that immediately catches the readerβs attention because it captures a feeling many people understand. Whether it comes from family expectations, social pressure, or personal ambition, there can be a point where success no longer feels like your own. The speakerβs struggle with that realization gives the poem its emotional center.
What makes the piece engaging is its willingness to admit mistakes. Rather than blaming others, the speaker turns inward and questions their own choices. The poem suggests that the real mistake was not being imperfect, but believing that imperfection had to be replaced. That is a message that feels both personal and relatable.
There are places where the language is rough around the edges, but in some ways that works in the poemβs favor. The thoughts feel genuine, as though the speaker is working through a difficult truth rather than presenting a polished lesson. That honesty helps the poem connect with the reader.
Like bananas that naturally grow into their own shape rather than trying to become something else, the poem argues that people do not need to borrow another life in order to find value in their own. It is a sincere and reflective piece that encourages readers to rethink what success really means and whether they have stayed true to themselves along the way.
Hey! Welcome to YWS and congrats on posting your first work too - always happy to have more poets on the site! I was intrigued by the image "mirrors of the saddest" and think this is an image that could be explored a bit more; maybe with some specific imagery too - right now the poem feels a little interior / like it is all happening in the mind, but maybe turning some of these intriguing threads into metaphors or images could expand it even further. For instance, the personification of youth marching away - was striking!
Great start, look forward to reading more from you in the future!
~ A