Moving in and out of doorways
Cycling through
Marching to the compulsory drum
Accomplishment earns
Over doing rewarded
Drowning in an illusion
Influenced by the defunct
Nameless, faceless
The pool of obligations
The vat of expectations
Wide eyed subterfuge
A blind push
Yet we ascribe
Dutifully
Burnt out, burnt up
Begging for liberation
Time irreversible
Lost time cataclysmic
Reclaim, refrain
Resist the implicit
March to your drum
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Author:
Katie B. (
Offline) - Published: March 29th, 2026 06:37
- Comment from author about the poem: The media and society send a message that we should be doing, going, active, involved at all times. These expectations are unattainable and unrealistic. They lead people to over commit, overdo and string themselves out. There is great joy and solace in a slow-paced life where you can connect and observe. I will not heed the call.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 27
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments6
Katie this hits where advertisers promote, politicians plea, the media fires us up and our neighbors expect what is more than good for us. It drives the economy it sells and it smells. Be what we are not what society expects and wants. A lovely write
Katie, that “pool of obligations / vat of expectations”…that’s the line that really stays. It captures the weight without needing to explain it. Beautifully done, my friend. And amen to your comment. Me either! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
'I will not heed the call' Neither should anyone else....
Short sharp lines make your point.
We must think outside the box Katie and not get drawn in by the plethora of lies that we here every day.
Andy
I've read several poems here that all describe a kind of discontent with continuing to do things the way we always have--
Marching to the compulsory drum
Accomplishment earns.
(I include myself in this description--When nothing makes sense anymore--a poem recently published here.)
March to your drum, Katie B.
Couldn't agree more. It always irritates me when January starts: People on Television talk about February. When Feb starts: It's March.
And as for Christmas adverts in August...
Can we not live life at our own Pace.
Well Written.
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