Forever Hollow

"Forever Hollow" explores the loss of childhood innocence and the anxiety that comes with growing up, reflecting on fading memories and the emptiness they leave behind.

Someday everything will drift away 

Except for the anxiety that will hit 

The moment when you’ll feel as if 

You too have vanished off this earthly sphere 

 

The fear for the monster under the bed 

You would look for its head 

Needed mama’s helping hand 

Gone, like grains of sand 

 

Santa Claus, the Christmas gent 

That miracle, gifts and joy 

Pulling all-nighters to catch that man 

Ruined all by the voice of a young schoolboy 

 

As you and your siblings plead for just one more game 

You realise it is time to say goodbye for a while 

To all the joyful memories you claimed 

Because now they slip to lives where you don’t share the same mile 

 

Celebrating Easter with your family  

Eating until you reach gratification 

But now each glance weighs heavily 

And the celebration now comes with a side of calculation 

 

All of the magic has left, taking your fear away too 

But the empty feeling it left behind 

Became a new kind of terror you couldn’t undo 

One that suffocates with every breath, till you can’t unwind 

Reviews

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

the theme explored in this verse was multi-layered and dynamic. it makes us feel a spectrum of emotion but also makes us think. from the first stanza, we learn the persona is suffering from a depression. what is at the root of this affliction seems to be an uneasy relationship with her family. this is a very heavy problem, one i know about all too well.
then we get a flashback of a simpler time. childhood, an age of innocence, everything seemed so much easier. how one wishes to regain that joy. yet it has been snatched away from our heroine. and now these memories seem to mock her. instead of nostalgia, there is envy.
i relate really hard to this work. and it was written boldly and beautifully. it's a rollercoaster of emotions and a parade of ideas.

[Efxaris Arampatzi]

Absolutely!! Everything you said is absolutely correct! I relate to this poem a lot, the only part that hasn't happened to me yet is with siblings moving out of our home. But I will relate to that too soon because my only sister is about to become 18 so she will leave and I will miss her, I already do even though she is home! Thank you so much for your review, I appreciate it a lot!

[Beren]

I am truly amazed more and more each time by how beautifully you write... You are very successful. It is great that you were able to write this and reach this awareness right at the beginning of adolescence. One day we all went out for the last time and played hide and seek and no one noticed, one day our mother dressed us for school for the last time and no one noticed either. When I graduated from high school the thought of never going back to high school was very hard on me. I would never walk down the hall with my friends again, we would never sit in the cafeteria and talk about stupid kids and that still makes me sad. Your poem reminded me of that. YOU WRITE PERFECTLY.

But let me tell you this; every age has its own beauty and there will always be other memories that we will miss. I am sure that you will reach better places with this awareness and being able to express yourself so beautifully.

[Efxaris Arampatzi]

Thank you so much for your heartfelt words!!! Everything you said is absolutely true! No one (not ever ourselves) ever notices when we do something for the last time such as getting dressed by our mother like you mentioned. And that's because we all grow, we all develop, learn new skills so there will be a last time for everything that's for sure but learning to appreciate every moment in life is the solution! I appreciate your kind words Beren!!

[Martiya Daman]

Your poem also shows all we did in the past (Most likely). Like in the second paragraph you wrote that you have the fear of monsters. We would also wait for Santa, not knowing he's not real. And also celebrate easter (Although I don't). Once again, this is a beautiful write. Keep going!

[Efxaris Arampatzi]

Yes exactly! These are common things we did which is why I decided to include them in the poem! I still celebrate Easter, that part of the poem actually has a darker meaning, but it's okay, everyone understands poems in their own way and that's the beauty of it! :D

[Martiya Daman]

I get it. In my area, people do celebrate other country's celebration, but India's more. (Eg. Holi, Diwali, etc.) That's why I don't really celebrate Easter.

[Efxaris Arampatzi]

Well that's nice! :)

[Martiya Daman]

I agree! Maybe next time I will start celebrating easter.

[Efxaris Arampatzi]

You can do anything you want of course! I believe in Jesus Christ so I celebrate Easter, Christmas and many more holidays!

[Martiya Daman]

Your poem beautifully captures the transition from childhood fun to adulthood, times when life takes a drastic turn. The mix of nostalgia, loss, and the haunting presence of anxiety, perfect. A terror you want to forget, need to forget, but can't. A time when your heart beats more than ever. All from, nostalgia? Is that possible? Yes... As a child you are free. Adult? Busy, can't play, not free. Just stressed. Childhood is not just a life of a kid, it's memories. Its gold. It's everything. You really just want to be a child again at this point. You can't take it anymore. Lovely write, my friend.

[Efxaris Arampatzi]

Thank you so much for your review Martiya! Everything you said is true yes! Thank you for understanding my poem so well friend!

[Martiya Daman]

Thanks! :D

[Twilight]

This captures well, the topic in your description. It can indeed, be hard to fill that void, sometimes; losing childhood's innocence and magic.

I noticed that you have linked some verses, with two different seasons; in the context of your childhood memories and feelings over growing up.

Of course, adults soon find new anxieties; whatever age they happen to be. And, I expect that many people could relate to the main topic of this poem.

In your profile, it mentions that you're 14; so certainly no mere child. And, it would be good to share more of your thoughts and feelings; in words through further poems.

[Efxaris Arampatzi]

Yes that was exactly the message I was trying to "send" through this poem! Long story short that all of the unforgettable memories and happy moments fade away as a person grows up. I am glad you understood the meaning of this poem!

Yes I am 14 (I am currently 13 but my birthday is in 10 days) Thank you so much for the advice I will make sure to write more poems that incorporate my feelings!

[Twilight]

OK. Enjoy what remains of this weekend, as well.

[Efxaris Arampatzi]

You enjoy your weekend too!