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Imposter

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Imposter syndrome can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. 'Imposters' suffer from chronic self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of their competence

His mind is dark, like a night sky without stars. Doubt sits upon his shoulders, poking at his face, irritating his mind, interrupting his thoughts, outrunning his words - laughing at him hysterically. Demons slay his self belief, echoing like mountainous valleys. Playing with his insecurities. Manic voices vibrate in a percussion of shrieking, like jesters juggling with his sanity. Sweaty palms and heavy feet, leave his tongue cemented, like a block of concrete. Curtains ascend slowly. Microphone has no mercy. Silence awaits, as audience anticipate. His petrified eyes attempt to ignore hundreds of faces, focusing at him. He fumbles and mumbles apologises and starts again. Closes his eyes, to find his special, sacred place. His hidden spirit roars, as audience gasp. His soul rises like king Arthur's sword, releasing the thunder, trapped inside. Doubt plummets to the ground. His words strike like lightening, defeating demons into silence. Audience applaud in elation. For a moment he smiles, but then doubt and demons re-emerge. Bullying his self esteem, murdering his short lived joy. He sits in silence, wondering what is the point... Simple Musing Silent One 25 July 2020

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020




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Date: 11/13/2020 4:43:00 PM
Stage fright is an awful experience. I can relate. It took me a long time to learn how to cope with it. A great poem, Silent One :)
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Silent One
Date: 11/14/2020 9:24:00 AM
Thank you..
Date: 10/20/2020 7:32:00 AM
Silent One I am new to your work and am loving it. This is one of my favorites.
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Silent One
Date: 10/20/2020 7:33:00 AM
Thank you...
Date: 8/16/2020 12:17:00 PM
Great write Silent. I know that "fumbles and mumbles" syndrome all too well!
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Silent One
Date: 10/20/2020 7:33:00 AM
Thank you..
Date: 8/16/2020 1:39:00 AM
I also like the notion of jesters juggling with his sanity. Hapy you copy righted that? Otherwise, may I use it in one of my poems?
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Silent One
Date: 8/16/2020 1:42:00 AM
Yes that's fine.
Date: 8/16/2020 1:37:00 AM
Congratulations. What a syndrome. Crazy and caught in imposing. Many wishes, Kai
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Silent One
Date: 8/16/2020 1:42:00 AM
Thanks
Date: 8/8/2020 8:05:00 AM
Amazing.....came alive for me.....Congratulations Silent One.
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Date: 8/7/2020 3:54:00 PM
Congrats to you Silent one.
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Date: 8/7/2020 7:13:00 AM
Hi Silent, dropping by with my congratulations on your poem of the week, with this amazing write. Have a wonderful Friday. Your friend always....Mike.
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Date: 8/5/2020 4:18:00 PM
I feel many of us can relate to this. Well said on this poem. love phyl
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Date: 8/4/2020 3:38:00 PM
WoW! POTW for you. Congrats! It's well deserved. You describe Stage Fright aggravated by low self esteem beautifully. Bravo my friend. God Bless, JB
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Date: 8/4/2020 2:26:00 PM
The anxiety can get overwhelming. Brilliantly written Silent! Congratulations on your deserving POTW honors. Blessings xxoo
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Date: 8/3/2020 1:42:00 PM
"like jesters juggling with his sanity", one of many great lines. An excellent choice for POTW, I'm sure many (myself included) can relate to the dread, panic, doubts, empty mind, and insecurities you walk us through in a public speaking encounter. Loved it, a fave. Congratulations, my friend ~ John
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Silent One
Date: 8/4/2020 8:22:00 AM
Yes, I have found many have related.. Thank you John.
Date: 8/2/2020 11:14:00 PM
Congratulations on your POTW, so well chosen once again....Maria Hugs
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Silent One
Date: 8/3/2020 9:57:00 AM
Thank you..
Date: 8/2/2020 8:12:00 PM
Funny after writing about imposters and monsters I come across this write of yours SO, it is very well said and sadly true especially for entertainers, I do public speaking and the self doubt still creeps in once in a while, excellent write and I see it won POTW also so double congrats are in order!
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Silent One
Date: 8/3/2020 9:57:00 AM
I think many can relate to this.. Thank you John..
Date: 8/2/2020 4:32:00 PM
"He sits in silence, wondering what is the point..." Words always take flight. Sometimes you have to wait for the right time. Congratulations Silent One, on Poem of the Week. :) Brandy
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Silent One
Date: 8/3/2020 10:02:00 AM
Thank you Brandy..
Date: 8/2/2020 2:07:00 PM
Back to congratulate you on POTW. Way to go!
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Silent One
Date: 8/2/2020 2:30:00 PM
Thank you..
Date: 8/2/2020 12:32:00 PM
You rock my friend--poem of the day and poem of the week! BIG congrats, Silent One.
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Silent One
Date: 8/2/2020 2:30:00 PM
Thank you...
Date: 8/2/2020 9:20:00 AM
SO, Congratulations on your POTW! I really relate to this one as a traveling -not during the pandemic - musician. You hit the nail squarely on the head! Another gem in vivid images. It is very visceral - I know those feelings!
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Silent One
Date: 8/2/2020 2:30:00 PM
I think many will be able to relate to it...Thank you
Date: 8/2/2020 8:29:00 AM
Strangely, I can identify with this one. Congratulations!
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Silent One
Date: 8/2/2020 2:31:00 PM
Thank you
Date: 8/2/2020 7:32:00 AM
Back with congrats on POTW, S. O. Tom
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Silent One
Date: 8/2/2020 7:47:00 AM
That can't be right...I had it last week... There must be something wrong with the system. I will contact PS admin. Thanks for letting me know
Date: 8/2/2020 5:56:00 AM
WoW!Silent, You have penned such a well written and deep write. I believe all been an “ imposter “. Especially when they are growing up and don’t who they are. In they time it’s easier to be someone you’re not. Excellent job. Congratulations on getting the poem of the week. It’s well deserved:-) Alexis
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Silent One
Date: 8/2/2020 2:31:00 PM
Yes you are right... Thank you
Date: 7/31/2020 9:49:00 AM
This self doubt is one of the devil's best weapons. His most favorite weapon of all is unbelief. When you despair it means your faith is gone. Without faith you have nothing left. Great write here my friend. You describe the age old battle well. God Bless, JB
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Silent One
Date: 8/2/2020 2:31:00 PM
Indeed it is.. thank you Judy
Date: 7/29/2020 10:46:00 AM
One heck of a write, Silebt One! Love, Pangie xx
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Silent One
Date: 8/2/2020 2:32:00 PM
Thank you
Date: 7/28/2020 9:15:00 PM
And you described him and his feelings quite well.
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Silent One
Date: 8/2/2020 2:32:00 PM
Thank you
Date: 7/28/2020 8:42:00 PM
Excellent description of the deep emotions of a person
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Silent One
Date: 8/2/2020 2:32:00 PM
Thank you
12

Book: Shattered Sighs