Odel, I really like the way you make this “companion” feel almost familiar, something we know so well that we recognise its arrival before we necessarily understand why it's there.
There is something particularly interesting in calling it faithful, when actually it only seems to visit when we're at our most vulnerable. A fair-weather friend in reverse, perhaps.
And I love that the ending doesn't suggest the companion has disappeared. Instead, little by little, its hold is changing.
I’m choosing to believe the ending, Odel. The bad days may come back, but they don’t get to own all of you forever. I’m rooting so hard for that part of you that’s already tired of obeying them.
I love that you are choosing to break free from that companion. We eventually have to break up with them when they threaten the peace, love and joy we want to nurture.
I like that you call it a companion rather than an enemy. There’s something honest about that. Some shadows know us so well they almost feel like they belong to us. But I especially love the ending, the heart “breaking free from servitude.” Maybe freedom isn’t making the visitor disappear. Maybe it’s simply refusing to let it be in charge.
Maybe that’s what I loved most in your poem; that gentle reminder that the emotions I sometimes resist may be the very ones trying to lead me back to myself.
Odel, I really like the way you make this “companion” feel almost familiar, something we know so well that we recognise its arrival before we necessarily understand why it's there.
There is something particularly interesting in calling it faithful, when actually it only seems to visit when we're at our most vulnerable. A fair-weather friend in reverse, perhaps.
And I love that the ending doesn't suggest the companion has disappeared. Instead, little by little, its hold is changing.
A lovely poem, Odel.
You captured this struggle in such a beautiful way 💙
Thank you very much !
I’m choosing to believe the ending, Odel. The bad days may come back, but they don’t get to own all of you forever. I’m rooting so hard for that part of you that’s already tired of obeying them.
Thank you, Sempai !
There’ll always be bad days and we may have to sit a little longer with them but they won’t stay forever, if we don’t allow them
I love that you are choosing to break free from that companion. We eventually have to break up with them when they threaten the peace, love and joy we want to nurture.
Indeed. Thank you, Sattie 🥰
I like that you call it a companion rather than an enemy. There’s something honest about that. Some shadows know us so well they almost feel like they belong to us. But I especially love the ending, the heart “breaking free from servitude.” Maybe freedom isn’t making the visitor disappear. Maybe it’s simply refusing to let it be in charge.
Thank you, Dipti.
I believe that emotions are not against us, but part of us. And maybe signal that can help us move through life.
Maybe that’s what I loved most in your poem; that gentle reminder that the emotions I sometimes resist may be the very ones trying to lead me back to myself.
I like the way you put it.