Overcoming the Shadow

Background: From utter excitement to leaving with broken dreams, this is a personal lament.

Overcoming the Shadow

Have you ever dragged your feet into a place
With anxiety paralysing you
Dread choking you -
A place from where you cannot escape
Cannot avoid, cannot ignore
As it is your "rice bowl".

Oh, you had grand aspirations;
A hoppity bunny with twitchy ears
Eager to delve into possibilities
Ready to discover fresh horizons.

Alas, you uncovered the exact opposite;
A tyrant in disguise looms over you
Trampling upon your dignity
Causing secret tears in quiet places,
While your public face betrayed nothing.

The dreams? Shattered.
The hopes? Dashed.

Bearing the strength of resolve
You departed with integrity,
Refusing to consort with the devil any longer
For you know your worth -
And no one can snatch it from you again.

~Adelynne Ong, Mar 2025

Thank you for spending a bit of time reading my poetry. It means a lot to me. 🩷