Those Steps

This is not a finished poem, but I thought might as well share it and get some of your feedback now. Once, I have gathered some input and completed this poem I will post the updated version of it.

I know those steps.

I recite them every night

In my sleep.

They are the steps of silence.

They are the steps of peace.

Those steps keep me alive.

Making me invisible 

To everyone and everything.

You say you've had them 

Your whole life,

But you know you took 

Them from me.

And when I confront you,

You act as if you don't know me. 

If you've had them all your life, 

When the dragon came, 

And I was hiding

While everyone was fighting 

Why weren't you 

Hiding with me?

When everyone you had ever known 

Started to throw labels 

At one another

Causing a fight

That no one 

Would ever live down

Why weren't you standing on the sidelines 

Getting bombarded 

With the names:

Quiet,

Weak,

Ugly,

with me?

If you really have had these steps 

Your whole life, 

Then I congratulate you.

For those steps 

Are the most difficult things 

You will ever own.

They will need to be tamed 

And cared for

Because if one thing goes wrong,

Then those steps 

Will leave you.

And you will be left 

with nothing,

But, the labels and the shouting 

Indicating that the fight that you thought you could get through 

With those steps 

Is not over.

It is then you will realize 

That the fight 

Was inside your head all along.

You will plead

For those steps back, 

But you won't get them.

They will leave footprints in the dust

Just like all steps do.

Leaving you to fight that

Battle all alone. 

You are stuck with the labels

You put on yourself

Quiet.

Weak. 

Ugly.

So, did you really have those steps 

Your whole life?

Or did you just steal them 

from me?

Remember, I know those steps.

I recite them every night. 

In my sleep.

They are the steps of silence.

They are the steps of peace.

Author's Note

Hello. Sorry I have not posted a poem in a few months. I was taking some time off to decide my stance on writing. I have currently decided to write a book, and I am in the outlining phase of it. This decision may cause me not to post poems some months. I hope you understand. Thank you for all the kind reviews in my last poem. They mean a lot to me. Also, I may start a blog on writers cafe, so watch out for that. Thank you.

Reviews

[Julia.Moore]

The love for haiku poetry was sparked during world literature studies, drawn to its ability to convey profound ideas in just a few syllables. Over the years, hundreds of haikus were written, inspired by moments of awe in everyday life, many of which are featured in the book Blue Harlequin. These haikus aim to inspire an appreciation for the simple beauty in life’s fleeting moments. Read the full article to delve deeper into the beauty of haiku poetry: https://aoidemagazine.com/what-is-haiku-poetry/

[Coyote Poetry]

I don't know. I liked the poem as-is. A haunting poem. You made the reader think and ponder. The deep and honest thoughts left something for the reader. Thank you Elizabeth for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote