...to ride the high horse.

When young he imagined that everyone could see him

he carried this thought through his youth, his teens and beyond.

This thought gave heed to the desire to impress

and made a slave of him throughout his life.

 

What would people think and what would people say

was a mantra that existed just below the surface

of each and every thought and dream in which he would

impress and astound with cause to gasp in all that knew him.

 

The day of liberty arrived and he soon realised that the world

was blind as to his very existence as they were busy, very busy

and had no time nor inclination to waste on him or what he did,

or drove, or where he lived or even what he chose to wear.

 

He was the invisible man and people looked through him

they paid him no attention, because they owed him none.

He loved his new found freedom and sought no more attention

stripped of pride, stripped of ambition and clothed in humility,

sweet, unobtrusive humility with no more need to ride the high horse.

 

 

Reviews

[Bare trees]

I'm sure there are many who act in life trying to impress others. They could also be trying to protect themselves. I'm sure there must be freedom in finally letting go of that persona too as you point out with this fine poem.

[Huw]

The greatest pretence is the one where people pretend to be happy and contented with their lot. I made myself a promise 16 years ago never to ask “ how are you?”, because I was inciting many people to lie.
Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. There goes my invisibility...