Child of the outside
on the inside
one foot out
one foot in
never belonging
never apart
Child of the inside
on the outside
one foot in
one foot out
never apart
never belonging
Child of both sides
on neither side
both feet out
both feet in
never apart
never a part
Heart and soul divided
mind and hands confused
ears and nose demanding
eyes and tongue confiding
child of both
child of none.
.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: September 8th, 2025 04:36
- Comment from author about the poem: Plain-English Paraphrase S1 You’re called an outsider, but you live inside. You keep one foot in the world and one foot out— you never truly fit, yet you never fully leave. S2 At the same time, you’re seen as an insider on the outside. You still wobble—one foot inside, one foot outside— never truly gone, never really belonging. S3 You belong to both sides, but in truth you’re on neither. Both feet are in and both are out— so you’re never separate, yet never part of either. S4 Your heart and soul feel pulled in two directions. Your thoughts and actions are out of sync. Your senses—hearing, smelling, seeing, speaking—all demand different things. You’re a child of both worlds and, at the same time, of no world at all.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 12
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments7
Complexity put in simplicity. Feelings of duality where there is no acceptance of either out of place. This poem was written well enough that I did not need the author's note I could feel it as it rolled off the page. Nicely done Cryptic
Ah, that I thought but it being a piece written in the late 70s could’ve been for some almost unreadable. Thanks so much for this valued feedback dear friend.🕊️🙏🏻
You really are a clever so n so .. it would be rude not to award ya the triple 👍👍👍.. Neville
A triple! I only got 2 anatomically so have to get some from a novelty shop to put up! Thanks Nev🕊️🙏🏻
Thanks for the Fave 🤩@C.W.Bleu much appreciated 🕊️🙏🏻
That is awesome and so good to know. Cheers 👊
Dear, arqios,
Either in step or out of step with society, the mind knows, the heart questions and the soul conquers. I've always loved the expression, 'worlds away' where the senses detect the usual but in an unusual way. I have enjoyed reading this, very much so.
Fond regards,
Tony.
Thanks Tony, your excellent words have found a home. 🙏🕊️
Wow! I’ve walked this tension myself—the in-between, the not-here-not-there. You’ve given voice to that fracture in a way that feels both personal and universal. Well done, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛ Love this.
Thanks Tristan, from a younger self as well; this having been written in the 70s about the time Grease hit the theatres. So, it was a bit of a gamble to unleash it to a more mature audience and a younger century. 🙏🕊️
This poem is beautifully introspective and deeply evocative it captures the tension of belonging and identity with precision and grace. Love the rhyme. Nicely written.
Very true words Rik, we are different people inside and outside our bodies but will become one at the end.
Andy
And that is a reassuring hope! Thanks, Andy 🕊️🙏
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.