Storybook
A freeform poem
For the first time in my life, I want to live.
Let me explain for those who can’t understand
I’ve lived my whole life in my head
This world a strange and distant land
The stories I’ve held close to my chest
Were the ones that made most sense to me–
Magic wands, Earth’s ancient songs
An idea of somewhere I’d be free
*
But stories only take you so far
And life is not a book that you read
Flipping through chapters (Maybe I’ll be happier
After that plot twist in Chapter Three)
*
The truth is, I’ve never known what it’s like
To feel the moment and taste it all–
Some kind of trauma, an early life drama
Came, and my body kept me from the fall
Well-meaning of course, but the problem with safe
Is you never get to be where you are.
You never feel life in all its zeal
You only wish upon a star
*
Now here I stand, feet on the ground
The first sips of air fresh in my lungs
The brain is a strange and ancient friend.
The truth is, I was here all along
Just waiting for the moment
When I could shed what kept me from my glory–
I no longer live in a storybook
But maybe one day, I’ll tell my story
———
———————
Thank you to Kayleigh for partially inspiring this poem by sharing her own story. You can read her amazing work here 💕✨
About the Creator
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
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More stories from Joelle E N and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (29)
Nice
⚡❤️⚡
This is really good......................
Wonderful piece! I loved the emotional journey and the rhyming structure you chose. Awesome work!
This feels like a brave share, there's a lot of you in it. ❤
Wow! this really spoke volumes. Some of the lines felt so familiar. I've felt the same way so many times. This was very very good
so good, Joelle! Love this!
Loved this! Fantastic job!
Amazing poem and thanks for sharing.
Joelle can you share you instagram account.I want to add you as my friend
From living in dreams to living life to the fullest.
Ah, Joelle...this may be the best thing I've read by you (that's difficult to lock on, but it's definitely one of your best) I love the way you structured this and you tackle it all very sensitively but with strong honesty! Well done on an incredible Top Story!
I know exactly how this feels. Very well said. I think life is richer with some kind of struggle, but at the same time, there is comfort in the mundane, and the realest stories are those that take it and run. Congrats on TS!
So beautiful! 🥲 Amazing poem and sentiment ☺️
✍️👏 I am cheering for your new life journey. Pages of the new book await. 👏✍️
Congratulations 🎊🎉🎈🎊📝🫶🏾💯‼️
..and I would certainly love to hear it. GREAT poem.
Fantastic!!! Congratulations on Top Story!!!❤️❤️💕
I've never lost myself in a book in the way that many people describe, but I totally understand the feeling in concept at least. This poem was deeply emotional and though I'm certain I missed something along the way, thank you for sharing with us :)
This poem speaks to the reader in me. I am guilty of losing track of reality when I into a good book. Sometimes it is good to escape for a while, especially when you are going through a tough time. But we never want it to stop trying to tell our own stories.
Excellent! Congratulations!
Top notch work! Congrats.
Beautiful. Congrats on the TS.
This poem cut me pretty deep! I also grew up using reading as an escape and wondered if I'd ever find something of my own to write about. Good luck on the beautiful journey of rediscovering your own mind and its power - it's there, I promise!
This was so great, ugh loved it! Congrats on TS!