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The bell won’t stop ringing
Even though I’d like to quit
Chants, praise, no one is singing
Songs for me
Or my victory
Kept at a whisper
My struggle, my strife
As I continue to climb through
This roughness of life
It seems maybe I’m hidden
From their view,
Am I here?
Did I get lost,
Are directions told to me unclear?
I swore they said go this way
It’s not an exact location,
I had to guess
Try to remove obstacles from my path
A well-meaning mess
I’m not sure what I should’ve kept
Anger, happiness, pride
Resentments buried inside?
I guess I don’t know what I’m doing,
I wish more people were with me for the ride
Instead, they looked for reasons to jump off,
When I finally succeed, they’ll likely scoff
Snicker, laugh, sneer
Point the blame
Towards me for
Not fanning their flame
As I’m building my own,
It continues to go out, wither, die
Often, I neglect it
Unconvinced of it’s worth, as I hide my cry
Everything feels so heavy,
I cannot pick up yet another stone
My hands are getting weak,
My lips are crumbly and dry
I am waiting for the world to let me speak, finally
My truth, not the fantasized reality they consistently seek


For poetry and more, visit Mecella.

by Courtney Williams

Published on October 30, 2024