Shackled Identities

This poem was inspired by a Netflix reality show called ”The Circle”.

How can I be me?
When everyone is pretending to be someone else
How can I be free?
While shackled to a different reflection being my identity
Every day goes by will not be missed
How can I miss something not true
Even the mirrors that reflected my image became uncertain
Of which face will they show
Till the day they all crack and become shattered
To catch up with all the faces that I resemble
My story is the story of most of those whom I see on my phone
I know it is wrong, but I do it
Being me and the unknown, but, somehow, I love it
I forgot to love myself first and only to love what strangers want
Strangers to me and strangers to themselves
This is me now, and nothing I can do about it
Unless something happens
There might be hope for me
Something that will change everything for me
The absence of mirrors and their many reflections

Author's Note

Feedback is much appreciated!

Reviews

[barleygirl]

The thing I love the most about your poem is the self-honesty without flogging oneself over one's idiosyncrasies. We all have 'em! That's what makes your poem so friendly & approachable, as if it's okay to admit whatever needs admitting. I have never had a cell phone & I keep my landline unplugged constantly, so it's very interesting to me to read the unique way you describe this experience. I've been addicted to checking my computer often, back when social media was new & addictive. But now I'm stick of all the bullshit & fomenting out there among the masses, so it's easy for me to retreat. If I don't turn on my computer for a day, it will be a blink of an eye before it's been a week or two. After ten years in the wilderness, it's addictive to stay unplugged. But I believe most people have similar habits as you describe . . . sometimes I feel my entire life was a farce becuz I spent most of it trying to reflect whatever I thought I should to the world, which is often whatever outside influences we are living under. You bring up many deep complex interesting issues, but it's all stated in an approachable way, that makes the reader feel like spilling, too! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Insight "MH"]

One of the things that I wish for is to live in the wilderness and do not give a care what happens outside that bubble, you are very blessed to be in that place away from all this craziness of modernity, but thankfully you still have a window to peak on us from time to time and grace us with your beautiful poetry.

[barleygirl]

Thank you, luv! I was already very good at living a "sequestered" life, so covid hasn't even been a flea on my butt!

[Just Kim]

Spot on write here, This is so truthful, enjoyed this

[Insight "MH"]

Thank you Kym for stopping buy and for your lovely comment.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

when others decide what our identity should be, we become what others want, not what we want to be for ourselves...i was like this when i was younger, shackled to an identity i couldn't live up to and finally decided i didn't want to any longer.
I so relate to this really thoughtful piece of writing.
j.

[Insight "MH"]

I am happy that you relate to this. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
MH.

[Ruth]

It is difficult in modern times to turn away from what is expected of us and be who we truly are but we do end up doing so ironically with time, we owe it to our souls to be our true selves, however long that takes...societal burdens and technology have become invasive to the point of suffocation for some, we have to kick back and live the nows as who we are, those who wish to see us as something different to the real self are to be held at a distance in my opinion...people seldom notice the real self and when they do it is noted how one has changed because nobody paid attention initially lol Rambling I know but sometimes one must disconnect and talk to a tree instead of a screen or person I think...thought provoking piece :)

[Insight "MH"]

I agree with you totally, we try so hard to please strangers to make them trust us by losing trust in our real selves and replacing them with a fake version/versions, depending on how many people you want to please lol. Thank you so much for giving me more food for thought.

[Robert Trakofler]

my stepmother was a fairly renowned psychologist (she worked for the federal government and wrote many contingency plans for working with people after national disasters) one of her themes was that of masks she had collected masks for many years and had them strewn about her office. We all wear them no denying that... but in the masks (or the avatars in cyber terms) a unique freedom occurs that allows us in write, to express in ways that in day to day interaction is much more difficult. We can thru introspection and depiction read between our own lines and find new revelation of understanding that isn't always as easy to do in life situations where the ego tends to maintain a defensive posture and not allow for potential difference

[Insight "MH"]

I think that it depends on the motive for that person to put a mask on and also what kind of person is she/he and to what extent that person would go to achieve her/his goals by wearing that mask, cause there are many masks to chose from, but behind that mask there is one person, either an ugly one or a good one. Thank you for giving me food for thought, I much appreciate you stopping by.

[CLR9]

This is basically everyone here. The pomes are Halloween masks dipped in artificial kurt Russell to lie to you. WC ain't it for seriousness. Just play.

[Insight "MH"]

I believe that there are many genuine people here, but you must dig deep and also be lucky in this artificial world to meet some. The poem should reflect some of the writer’s persona, it is like a fingerprint which that person is known by. Thank you for your comment.