The Weight of Expectations

In the quiet depths of despair,

I carry the weight of expectations

Heavy chains wrapped around my heart

Dragging me down, tearing me apart

The world demands so much of me

To be perfect, to never falter

To always smile, never to cry

To shine bright, never to dull

But what if I want to break free

From the shackles of society's gaze

To breathe, to live, to simply be

Without the burden of expectations

I long to play in the rain

To laugh until my sides hurt

To chase after dreams, wild and free

Without the fear of falling short

But the weight of expectations

Looms over me like a dark cloud

Pressing down, suffocating my soul

Leaving me gasping for air

I am tired of pretending

Of wearing masks to please others

I want to strip away the layers

And embrace my true self

I refuse to be defined

By the standards set for me

I am more than just a reflection

Of what others want me to be

So I will shed the weight of expectations

And stand tall in my own truth

Unafraid to stumble, to falter

For I am human, imperfect, beautifully flawed.