General

Composure shattering

Spontaneous combustion

Exploding under pressure

-— . —

How much stress can I bear?

For how long can my brain withstand

All the demands the society makes on it

— . —

Ultimately there will a huge outburst

The dam will break and all the water will flow out

The balloon will rupture, spilling out the gas

— . —

Beware, for this not a threat but a warning

It’s not just a possibility but an eventuality

That today’s lifestyle is pushing us all towards!

➰➰➰

In response to; RXC Prompt #280, hosted by Reena

#Keepitalive

#RXC

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #279

Prompt words are

Was that really me?

from that introvert freak
timid
confused
always trying to please others
so they will not criticize me
coming out of the shell
was so difficult
but
I managed slowly
by
learning new things every day
counting on small achievements
patting her own back
rewarding herself
taking the remote control
of happiness
in my own hands
gaining confidence bit by bit
no more begging for appreciation
no more copying others
no more fear of rejection
still caring and loving people
Often asking the mirror
was that weak-willed
really me

Yes, but it’s now
gone. You’re just
the radiation, lighter
than the sun stepping
through evening’s window.

No, not gone. The past is
a twisted mirror trying
to bend its way back
to meaningful shape, a face
made of its own grammar,
and you watch as it attempts
to pull coherence into eyes.

Sometimes a word comes
through the glass between you
and shimmers across your blood
and moves into moment. But then
the past falls into itself and you’re left
walking alone, shuffling to a future
and a self that doesn’t yet speak
but can be heard.

---

Written for Reena’s Xploration Challenge #279. The prompt was “Was that really me?”

Was That Really Me?

it’s the smile; or maybe not, that i long for, a ray of sunshine
that crosses beaming when you’re around-
the laughter, that feels like a calming melody, my heart’s balm-
soothes my restless soul,
or maybe it isn’t;
‘cos more than that, i miss my laughter when i am with you.

it’s the chitter-chatter; or maybe not, that i yearn for, a lively discussion
that perks up my mood,
breaking the tension when you’re around-
the nonsensical matters, that feels like a loving conversation,
my mind’s sanctuary-
tampers my spirit,
or maybe it isn’t;
‘cos more than that, i miss myself talking non-stop when i am with you.

it’s the cuddling; or maybe not, that
i crave for,
a sense of security
that makes loving affectionately beautiful when you’re around –
the gentle fondle,
my body’s silent sanctuary-
eases my being,
or maybe it isn’t;

The moment came out of nothing
It was a casual conversation
His voice stopped at my name
It was not like my out-of-breath heart
To leap into faith 
Soaring without wings
Singing without words
But she did
A mote of dust hung in the air
Sunlit, surprised, surreal
Disbelieving in this reality
It wasn't supposed to be
But Time hung around
Like he does sometimes
Just to play the fool
And make me one too

Mindfills © 2023  for Ed Sheeran’s Dusty, Reena’s Exploration Challenge ~ was that really me; Cee’s FOTD

Flying high above the sunflowers

Frolicking with the moon and the stars

Was that really me, or my naughty avatar?

~*~

Breathing in the refreshing cool air

And breathing out the inferno in my heart

Was that really me or the caged beast within?

~*~

The moon spoke to me of it’s lonely nights

The stars shared stories of dwindling light

And me, without a care in the world, just smiled

~*~

For being an image, artificially generated

Give me the freedom to be really me

But without the restrains of conforming

To the expectations of who and what I should be

➰➰➰

In response to RXC # 279, hosted by Reena

Also included;Artificially yours, hosted by Paula

#Keepitalive

#RXC