"Stuck in My Own Shoes"

I keep tripping over myself

on a path I should have walked with ease

but these feet feel heavy,

as if each step is weighed down by doubts

that drip slowly from my head to my heels.

I want to kick myself,

shake off this helplessness

but even the kick has no force

as if trapped inside an empty shell,

half of me wants to run away

while the other half can’t seem to rise.

maybe I’ve stayed here too long,

frozen in this small corner of the world that never glances at me

trying to picture my own face

that I’m too afraid to show the mirror.

I hate how small I am inside the large shadow

I’ve made for myself,

as the world keeps moving

and I remain still, stuck.

why is it so hard to force myself to stand,

to challenge everything I’m afraid of?

but with each intent, there is failure

and I just look down,

at my feet that never seem to move forward.

today I want to give up

but for some reason,

there’s still a small voice holding me back.

and though these shoes feel too heavy,

I haven’t completely stopped yet.