A Confinement of Sorts

Experimental ramblings. Audio included.

I am twenty-four;

I live a life of expectations,

and not dreams, of responsibilities

and weights overburdening my

inexperienced shoulders.

I am twenty-four;

my smiles do not reach my eyes,

or so I have been told, neither do they

curve my lips, but stay frozen,

till my cheeks ache.

I am twenty-four;

as soon as I'm home, I exhale

a sigh of relief, often enclosed,

my mind, a sanctuary; a devastatingly

beautiful confinement of sorts.

I am twenty-four;

a woman born into being,

I live to please, I deceive

so many others, but no one

more than me ...

Author's Note

Record audio or upload mp3 >>

Reviews

[θεά]

What an honestly beautiful write this is Yumna! We first seek to deceive ourselves when we wear masks to please others, when we confine our worries to our subliminal selves. The pain of not being understood, the diffidence with which we reveal ourselves have to do with our deep seated (often correct) reservations about trusting our bare souls to others.

Beautifully expressed. A solid write.

Best,
M.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

I love how you understand the depth of this write, Mallika. Thank you so much for your insight here and for appreciating. x

[Ardra]

my mind, a sanctuary; a devastatingly
beautiful confinement of sorts...

i guess when the outside world suffocates us ...its our mind that can help us find a place that is a safe heaven for us... its a sad situation ... :(

[Dr. YumnaKay]

It's both a blessing and a curse...
Thank you for your words here and for reading, Ardra. Appreciated.

[Ardra]

very true... .a blessing and a curse..cant agree more..

[Einstein Noodle]

oh man! so descriptive and strong social commentary .. you show us her prison, her life so clearly with few details .. i see her .. she is the woman shackled .. kept back perhaps by upbringing, experiences, genetics or all three .. i would never go back to my "younger" days ... i have no longing for those insecure, impulsive, rebellious processes ;} well done ..this is what i like to call an important work .. so many people can "hear" it i am sure
E.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Well, I do long for these days to be over or idk, the mindset to change, hopefully.
Thank you so much for your words here and for appreciating, Einstein. I'm humbled. :-)

[Einstein Noodle]

Doc! you have a great voice says i! it is always a satisfying thing to read your poetry ...as for the hard change ... it is ...no denying ... perseverance and one foot after the other can win the day ;)

[Gee]

Man, if this is true to your life you need to lighten up and smell the roses, otherwise you're gonna wake up one day wondering where all of the years have gone. Takes a lot less effort to smile than it does to suppress them.
Saying that very well written and a thought provoking.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Ah, I know, you're abs right in saying that...sometimes it's better to get it out in the way to start living, even if little by little. I already do wonder where the 4 years of my 20s have gone by though ...
Thank you so much for your words here and for liking, Gee. Appreciated.

[Gee]

My pleasure. Sometimes a wake up call is needed to make you realise how both fleeting and precious life is. I was told I should have died in my early 20's after being run over by a dump truck on a construction site. Ever since that day I have let very little bother me.
Have a good day

[LazerRays]

ah yumna, i like this poem. the smile never reaches your eyes. what a great line!
-Sarah
(yeet)

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Thank you so much, Sarah. Glad you like it. :)