we submit ourselves in guise
resolute within
although questioning
always fearful, ne’er tearful
and sorely apprehensive
from which we have developed
pattern to routine
one individual, then two
and soon, a chain reaction
it’s drab and dull, you’d complain
one other curse to face
that we all acquire at birth
.
A more recent treatment of the above, “flight revisited”
We cloak ourselves in practiced guise,
resolute beneath the hush—
a fortress of questioning silence,
fear worn like threadbare armour,
not wept but weathered.
Apprehension, the quiet inheritance,
sculpts routine from shadow.
One becomes two,
then many—the murmuring chain
forged in mimicry.
It drones in tones of beige and duty,
you name it dull,
but the ritual is ritual because
we’re born into its design.
This curse—not shouted,
but etched.
The birthmark of belonging,
sealed before choice finds breath.
.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: July 14th, 2025 05:22
- Comment from author about the poem: Okay, Tristan; here’s one. It’s a bit cringe. And the voice is as bright as a sunny day. Is there something to be said about teenage angst? It’s sophomoric at best. But there we go.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 18
- Users favorite of this poem: Cheeky Missy, Bella Shepard, Poetic Licence, Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments8
I suppose that this too may be taken many ways but my read is in this metaphor of a plain suit we all wish to blend in out of fear of rejection so we never get to show our colors. The world remains drab and dull. I choose to circulate with birds of bright feathers the oddballs that have no fear for they help take mine away. A wonderful write Cryptic.
So glad to hear that take on the poem/s. I suppose that fear of rejection has always been there but never acknowledged and somewhat cloaked in verse. Most interesting reveal! Thank you
Just hoping the extended version does not affect the enjoyment and understanding of the former and vice versa as they have been written decades apart.
I read it, then walked away allowing myself to do something different, while my brain worked on it. I returned and read again, slowly and methodically and the light went on. WOW! You capture brilliantly the conformity we find it so difficult to overcome, and it does become infectious. And that final stanza, no lie, brought a lump to my throat. Brilliant!!
Thanks kindly dear Bella. This fantastic review says it all! I guess that’s what overthinking results in when birthing a poem, requiring some method and persistence to unveil, even a walk away and back🙏🏻🕊
Bleaker than dismal… but not unexpected
Your poem cuts deep—the way it frames self-erasure as both armor and inheritance is haunting. The revisited version sharpens the ache with its quieter, more deliberate precision. Stunning and unsettling.
That is worth mulling on and perhaps further writing about- self erasure being both framed by armour and inheritance. Excellent pick up there.It is a thought process of decades and by the looks of it will continue on, perhaps even posthumously - should there be anyone out of their mind to pick up on it as well. Thank you for your generous consideration and interaction dear friend 🙏🏻🕊️
Very thoughtful poetry.There seems a deep examination of the human condition.Memorable lines here like belonging sealed before choice finds breathe.Wonderful exploration into the human condition
The first part was written decades ago, and most probably the result of a spur of the moment vent which later revisited (part 2) brings the thought further along but with a different set of eyes and surrounding circumstances. For the most part that would be the human condition of my mind and heart at those times. I wonder if it could be termed processing poetry... more than just therapeutic(auto) writing.
Clever write delving into many things, Do we conform out of habit, choice or fear of rejection if we don't conform. Some move around like peacocks on heat wanting to be noticed, but not bothered if excepted or not. Others stay drab and dull to avoid the light and being noticed, for fear of not being noticed and rejection, enjoyed the read
Thank you kindly, beautiful insights here. Most appreciated.🕊️🙏🏻
You are very welcome
There’s a sharp honesty in this, the kind I have come to really appreciate in your work, my friend. How easily fear becomes routine, and routine becomes identity. That “ne’er tearful” line landed hard…says so much with so little. You’ve captured something most sadly don’t even notice happening. Quiet but cutting. 🌹👏 A fave.
That just made my day, friend! 🙏🏻🕊
Yay! 😀
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