Here I once am again,
Resting where there's true peace
But not in the way you would imagine
Let me go on and explain.
Others accept the usuality of reality
But to I, I think beyond such staleness
Things that embody greatness.
The way that the trees are complete with their leaves
Is how I feel sanity
When the mind is at ease.
Where it can scatter and be free.
That's my own little fun curated reality,
Well, outside the outside world.
They tell me it’s a nice day.
That’s what teachers say.
On the bus ride home, some kids open their windows.
I imagine throwing my books into the wind…
I step off the bus, and my backpack feels even heavier.
I don’t want to go home.
But out here?
With the hot day starting to cool just right…
I hear them laughing and it’s not about me probably, but still.
My parents are always looking outside.
Telling me, it’s a nice day, it’s a nice day.
But that doesn’t mean anything to me.
I’d rather pretend to do homework in my room.
It’s a nice day, it’s a nice day.
For everyone but me.
She feared the outside world
The pandemic had killed thousands
Hundreds of thousands
She stayed in for over two years
People coaxed and cajoled her
She was lonely but would not venture out
Safe in her nest, she reread her books
She wanted to be safe
Two more years went by
She is depressed but cannot reach out
People scare her now
She is secluded, living a half life
Five more years of self-imposed hell
It was a relief the day the plane hit her building
killing her instantly
The outer surface is beautiful
He comes out good and colourful
The followers are not stressful
But respectful to have a handful
No one understand the inside world,
All they see is the outside world
He laughs not because he's happy
He clubs not because he wants to
He has a family not because he has enough
He doesn't give not because he's selfish
All they see is the outside world
He's depressed inside but no one can feel it
He goes on vacations but no one knows why
The night seems longer but they don't know
The money don't just come
All they see is the outside
Birds of a feather he became
He praised and talk good of leaders
Not because he wants to
His home is not in the sky
Arm forces only obey one order
All they see is the outside world.
©Kporho Raphael Oyeke
Though I have fallen to the end,
Hell on earth can not break, nor kill,
Even the weak part of my will,
Since my will will not break nor bend.
Others tried to act like my friends,
Until asked to pick up the bill,
Not willing, nor able, to fill
Desired roles that help and mend.
Giving everything I gave,
Allowed you to take what I own.
Roads to the underworld were paved,
Destroying the hope that was shown.
Eternity will not have slaves;
Not until the outside is blown.
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