Today’s society is so gripped by social media, showing false truths of how to behave, and the world’s norms, telling teenagers to be like everybody else, instead of being who they are. Because of this, teenagers face conflicts of self-belief and encounter identity adversities. Personally, I’ve often thought things like “I wish I could be them” or “Why am I not good enough like they are?”, and this does nothing but bring isolation and sadness. It makes me doubt myself and my abilities.
With this poem; I want teenagers to really understand that trying to conform to society through social media and just wanting to ‘fit in’ often isn’t the right path to venture on. Being authentic and true to who you are is so much more worthwhile and valuable than pretending to be someone you aren’t.
Flowers Amongst Thorns
A bitter storm, a blank slate, a mind swirling with thoughts, and then…
Silence.
Can such words and beliefs really trigger
a fire to erupt within one’s subconscious?
Can such darkness really destroy the
perfect white dove within a person?
Perhaps!
Yet the ideals of a modern life are nothing more than a dream deferred,
a mere sliver of hope to become them.
Where has originality gone?
What black hole has true identity slithered into,
lured in by societal expectations, norms,
never to be seen again.
Why must the youthful believe
such lies?
False truths that wrap their lying fingers
around young throats, feeding fallacious words, distorting
individualism, identity and
who we are.
Let us dissolve isolation in a pool of light, a swirl of
peace, truth, comfort.
For us, who breathe the earth’s air and live in society
should not be condemned to following those thorny paths.
Instead, we should divert to who we are –
our own lives, and not that of others.
Our ears should be fed truths,
and our hearts filled with peace,
our soul soaring like a white dove.
The youth shall embrace peace,
ignore societal norms that bring darkness,
and ultimately invite tranquility into their minds,
finally, calming the storm brewing within.
Poet Details
- Poet : Olivia Palk
- School: Raha International School
- Grade: 10
- Age: 17
- City: Abu Dhabi
