Bowel Movement

Oh, yesterday's child, I mourn your loss of personal worth.

Nature's little girl go-getter

Writer, singer, dancer, actor

Performer under the big ol' apple tree

Home, acres of entertainment

Sun, daisy fields, chipmunks, bunnies, applauding

Adventurer, Dreamer, Wonderer

Chasing fallen rolling Galas down hills

Into crevices- TRAPPED.

Purlieus's prisoner forced underground

Hunched cramping.

Abdominal bloating.

Prolific insecurity seated in your bowels

Societal expectations

Speech ensnared, cornered

Art's audacity caverned

Cave-dwelling

Existing, not living- deep belly earth

``

Oh, yesterday's child, I praise your underground move.

You built a lair so you could remain WILD.

Worldly pressure forced you to dig a hole

Inferiority Complex

Rooted in high-pressure environments

Bullying.

Peer pressure.

Over opinionated, misguided souls.

Hidden from side-eyed glances

Darkness at its core taught you geological depths.

Mining interior layers

Cultivating imagination's structure

Creating in dim-lit spaces

Writing, singing, dancing, acting

Picturesque envisioned: grotto by water

Safe from the h-o-w-l-i-n-g wolves on the den's other side

Slow-stirring in the bowels; caverned

``

Oh, yesterday's child, you've given me solace

ME, YOU, US-

Monologued inner dialogue

Professed

Abyss confessions

Echoed

Solidified soliloquial sentiments

Deepening character

Building internal rapport

Self-doubt schlepped sans sedimentary

Became the rock climber's hope

To the light I clamber.

One boulder at a time

Many cuts and bruises I shall suffer

But I've shielded myself long enough

Paced, I scale.

Out of the cave.

Shouldering tears, carrying them to the surface

Many wolves await; it's okay

A belly howls: I am wild, too

```

Author's note: My entry is inspired by real-life personal events, especially some impactful current ones. This poem marks my Vocal Media pause, as I return to my lair to heal, reconnect with myself, and continue writing my debut book of poetry.

During my creative absence, I will pop in to support fellow writers, especially those I hold near and dear to my heart. I am most grateful for the support I've received on this platform and will surely pay it forward.

Many thanks and much love to all, Marilyn

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