Expectations seep in
with no invitation,
with no encouragement—
a silent invasion.
And I learn, disturbingly,
how true this is
as I move through the haze
of expectations born in my head,
unbeknownst to me.
Show up I do,
every day.
Not because I’m expected to,
but because I choose to.
Yet,
I find myself
at a loss.
Lost, completely,
trapped somewhere
unknown,
unseen,
within the walls
of expectations.
I see my goals
waving at me
at a distance,
but here I am,
stuck in the quicksand
of what could’ve been.
Still,
I remember,
to show up anyway,
despite the losing battle.
What if I break free?
What if I win in the end?
What if…?
I can’t give up
before I find out what I am capable of.
So,
here I am,
clearing expectations aside
with a swish of my hand,
placing one foot
in front of the other,
focusing on one step at a time,
summoning every scrap of courage
to look unbroken,
to move as if I can carry on.
And off I go.
This piece is written in response to Write Bravely - January Week 3 prompts. Thank you, Corinne Rodrigues.