Layers

I don’t even know how to describe any of my poems, let alone this one.

I’m a girl
With so many layers.
The first few seem simple and pretty
But farther down gets bitter and sharp.
You see
In my deepest layer,
My most defended,
That I am
So close
To
Collapse.

I want the best
For people
Who don’t go through
What I go through
So that they think
The world is good
And nobody has my layers.

People see my first layers,
The easiest to enjoy,
But some people,
The ones closest to me,
See the layers below
That will give you dark dreams
Full of suffering and despair
And you haven’t gotten close
To my core,
Which will make you want to make me believe,
That everything will be okay.

You see my poetic nature,
My flowing words,
You grump and ask,
“Do you have to be poetic?”,
When I can’t answer
Without breaking down,
With the knowledge that
I’m poetic
To distract you
From what I really mean
In every
One
Of my poems.
Long or short,
Intense or soft,
Always
Hiding
Me.

Author's Note

What am I hiding?

Reviews

[A.G.]

this is a very real and deep poem. I read this and I feel what you feel. I understand. its hard to get close to people sometimes, only showing them certain parts of you and when you trust someone and show them the real you, they can either stay and understand or run and judge. honestly just lovely, the way you put it into words...I believe that you are beautiful all the way to the core. what is the real you is more beautiful than the surface. keep writing Trapped. I love it and I look forward to reading more (:
-Angelina

[Trapped]

Oh Angelina that made my day! Thanks! I will definitely continue to write!
- Trapped

[A.G.]

smiles, I am glad I made your day and yes! I look forward to reading more of your heart (:

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This is beautiful well done with hints of gladness sadness tragedy mystery and lots of honesty I like these feeling poems thanks 🙏

[Nikolean]

This poem is...I'd say of teasing nature at times. As someone who doesn't like to show all their feelings and thoughts to those around her, I can understand a layered and guarded nature. Your poetry is quite interesting. You definitely capture the emotions and the unsure nature of the author, one who doesn't want to show themselves. However, the fact that it's been written out seems to show that the narrator wants someone to notice. Wants someone to see through her and not judge her. Hiding true natures are often a gruelling and sad process and can result in a withdrawn sense of self. I feel for the narrator and I can completely relate with the line "Do you have to be poetic?" because some people, even myself sometimes feel that my own writing is overdramatic. But words really do hide true meanings, and I like how you incorporated that.

One word of caution though, is the commas. The way they're made can be interpreted as a stylistic choice, but it can definitely barr a reader from everything because the commas can be distracting. If you were to use commas like this, I would say to maybe do a shorter poem? Because I was slightly distracted each time I saw one at the end of each phrase. I feel like artfully incorporating them sporadically might be more effective-- but that's also just my personal preferences I suppose. Thanks for submitting into my contest, it was a well written poem!!

[Trapped]

Thank you for such a heartfelt review!
I’m glad you could relate to me!
I will definitely edit the punctuation. Thank you for the notice.
Flying free forever,
-Trapped

[Onlyme]

A very deep and meaningful poem this. We all have layers. Just some choose not to always show the deeper levels of their own personalities towards others. Even if they are close members of the same family. But inevitably you see them for who they really as eventually. As the deeper levels always shine out eventually over time in some random act or drama that happens in the home.

[Trapped]

I'm glad you understood it!
Yes, layers get more confusing and conflicting the farther down you go.

[Onlyme]

Just take each day as it comes. And accept yourself for who you are. And with time and understandment. You learn who to trust as friends and aqantances. But fools dont rush in. Take your time. Getting to know others and never tell everything to everyone at the begining of knowing them. And listen to your gut feelings about someone. Even on here.