Burn-Out Poetry

She drifted through life, dodging bullets and grasping merits as they passed.

She sometimes wondered who she was, but never truly asked.

Making the most out of a redundant reality became her only real task.

She worked a 9 to 5 yet fulfillment was always fleeting.

A truer self was constantly nudging her for a meeting.

She ignored it,

But always had this hunch that she was cheating.

She paid attention to the news every day and felt dismayed.

She made transient funds and felt perpetually unswayed.

She saw other people find joy and felt only betrayed.

She wouldn't take risks because of complacency and fear.

She numbed her soul's longing with whiskey and beer.

For when she did dare to wonder, she'd only end up in tears.

Finally she really asked herself, was it OK?

Shouldn't there be more purpose to one's day?

Should I even be pondering this, now that my hair is grey?

Then she was pummeled with uncomfortable thoughts,

About how her life had been all for naught.

But why?

From the very beginning she had done what she was taught.

She wept and walked outside, glanced up at the vibrant stars.

Some immediate relief came as she admired from afar.

For some reason they'd always given her an innate charge.

She let her mind drift to the bright magic aloft.

She didn't let herself ponder the heavens oft.

Yet she felt their tremendous meaning,

And that made her insecurities feel soft.

Calmer, more collected, she took a notebook and a pen,

And out poured her soul's many years of repressed zen.

She felt lighter, freer, much more able to contend,

With unveiling the fact that her true value couldn't end.