Growing

When I'm writing a new poem, I often find myself comparing people to other things without directly saying what the comparison is. This poem does just that. I intended it to be a poem that describes a person going through life and it's challenges, figuring out who they are and what they are meant to become.

Growing

It's damp

and dark

and cold.

I feel a need to break free.

I push, and struggle

to break open this cage

no more slumber

no more darkness

nothing will hold me back.

The cage is open.

I've broken loose

but I don't feel free.

It's still dark.

I stretch.

I know only one direction:

up.

As I reach up

I anchor myself.

The more I reach,

the more need

I have

to cling

to what I have known

for my entire life.

I've lost track of time.

My progress is slow.

I feel I might never 

reach my destination,

and I almost give up.

A final burst of strength

surges through me

and I reach

one      last      time.

The darkness breaks apart

I am blinded

by the sudden light.

I can still feel the darkness below,

anchoring me.

But up here I am

filled with warmth.

This new-found warmth

and light

gives me strength

and I still reach.

Excitement

of my success

makes me feel radiant

and I realize I'm not done.

I am closed up

and I need to unfold.

For a moment

I feel dejected.

How long must this go on?

But the light continues to shine 

and encourage me 

to keep going.

My progress is still slow

but full of purpose

and preparation for the day

I finally unfold

and fully

embrace the light.