Get Your Premium Membership

Great Expectations

Everywhere I look I see the effect
Of great expectations washed up 
On the shore of reality.

I know it’s a projection,
But I see it in the faces of everyone
From young to old, happy to sad
And know it is true for them too,
Whether they have accepted it
Or are still rejecting it
Caught in arrested development 
In some stage of grief.

It’s life after all
To expect things to go our way,
And life to have them eventually
And always go otherwise.

It’s what makes us grow
Tough on the outside
And resilient within,
Yet still no matter how tough and wise,
Within there is the pain and sadness
Of being human, 
Having gone through gain and loss
And of seeing others go through the same.

I know it’s projection on my part
But I also know
That’s my part of humanity.

(8/21/25)

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

A comment has not been posted for this poem. Encourage a poet by being the first to comment.


Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry