I am younger than I think
and older than I want to be,
sadder than I was,
and wiser than I used to be.
I’m acquainted now with pain,
but more naive than one would think-
free, as blows the wind,
but caged in perpetuity.
I clasp my hands with fear,
yet face my fate courageously.
Inebriated by joy,
but fatalistic, I can be;
ruled by apathetic shame,
yet fervently vibrant, roiling sea.
I romanticize my coffee,
yet doubt romance is something I will see.
A mass of contradictions,
I writhe in painful discordancy,
reaching for the light,
but blinded by the darkness,
which is all I now see.
About the Creator
Chloë J.
Probably not as funny as I think I am
Insta @chloe_j_writes
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Compelling and original writing
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Niche topic & fresh perspectives
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Comments (13)
I think you have such an interesting and unique mind. Going to follow.
This was so relatable and well written
That was so powerful. I am so glad Paul Stewart highlighted this piece. I will make an effort to red more
I agree with Dana, the first two lines pulled me in. It reminds of the start of the day how life can be so overwhelming yet we still just move forward. ❤️
Well, you exposed me in the first two lines. It just got better from there. Fantastic!
I sometimes feel like a living contradiction. Thank you, I love this ♡
Where I live (but with a little more optimism than I have).
Beautiful piece.
Ah, how did I miss this one, Chloe!? This is spectacular. I adore all the contradictions, and that line, as Kendall says below, "I romanticize my coffee, yet doubt romance is something I will see." has a touch of surrealism, but also is a bit of a gut punch too! Love it!
This will stick with me, esp. with lines like 'I romanticize my coffee' (who doesn't). Thank you for this one.
Hooked from the second line and then it just got better. This was a sad joy to read.
Amazing rhymes, holy shit. Also, I relate to many of the emotions you present here, the contradictions, the back and forthing of loving myself and hating myself. These lines: “Inebriated by joy / but fatalistic I can be; / ruled by apathetic shame” Just describes my whole internal landscape.
Excellent work, like a thunderbolt of inner turmoil. Then darkness.