Crushed



Crushed

Crushed by life, I bear the weight,
Of dreams undone and love too late.
A heavy heart, a mind in chains,
A soul adrift in endless pains.

The world, a pressing, cruel embrace,
Leaves marks unseen on my worn face.
In every breath, I feel the squeeze,
Of unseen hands that never ease.

Each step, a struggle, each day, a fight,
A battle waged from dark to light.
The smiles I wear, the words I say,
Are shields against the fray.

My family laughs, their voices clear,
A distant sound I barely hear.
They thrive in sunlit realms of grace,
Unaware of my silent chase.

The future looms, a shadowed beast,
With every hope and joy deceased.
I stumble through this bleak terrain,
With nothing left but numbing pain.

No comfort in the stars above,
No solace in the ones I love.
Their warmth a distant, fleeting glow,
While deep within, the darkness grows.

Crushed by life, I sink and fade,
A ghost within the daylight made.
In silent screams, I find my end,
A broken path I cannot mend.

Birth is the start of a long fall,
A journey where we lose it all.
From light to dark, from hope to pain,
We tumble through the endless rain.

The first breath drawn, a whispered sigh,
The beginning of a slow goodbye.
Innocence wrapped in tender care,
Unaware of burdens we’ll bear.

Each step we take, each path we choose,
Brings closer still the things we lose.
The joy we find, the love we hold,
Are fleeting moments, tales consoled.

Life’s climb is steep, its edge so near,
With every height, a growing fear.
The dreams we chase, the stars we seek,
Are shadows that grow ever bleak.

In childhood’s arms, we learn to stand,
But soon enough, we leave that land.
Adulthood comes with heavy tolls,
And with it, burdens on our souls.

The weight of years, the scars of time,
In every fall, a silent chime.
Reminding us of what we’ve lost,
Of innocence turned cold as frost.

Birth is the start of a long fall,
A spiral through life’s shadowed hall,
We grasp at light, we fight the night,
But in the end, we lose the fight.

And so we fall, from first to last,
A journey through the shadows cast.
From birth to death, we lose it all,
In this long, unending fall.

About this poem

"Crushed" explores the profound and often-overlooked reality that life, for all its beauty and joy, is ultimately a journey toward its own end. It delves into themes of mortality, the weight of existence, and the fleeting nature of happiness. The poem aims to evoke introspection and perhaps even a touch of melancholy. It reminds readers that while we strive for meaning and fulfillment, the inevitability of death casts a long shadow over all human experience. I hope this poem resonates with readers on a deeper level, prompting them to appreciate the preciousness of life and find meaning in the present moment.  

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Written on March 06, 1990

Submitted by yelskwah on February 10, 2025

2:22 min read
5

Quick analysis:

Scheme aabb ccdd eeff gxcc hhii jjxx kkll Mmii nnoo ppqq ggrr sstt uuvv Mmee vxmm
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 2,224
Words 473
Stanzas 15
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Joel Hawksley

 · 1967 · Massachusetts

Joel Hawksley has always been drawn to the power of words. Born into a world of contradictions and complexities, he found solace and expression in poetry from an early age. His journey as a poet began as a way to navigate and make sense of the world around him—a world filled with both beauty and profound historical significance.    Joel's many careers have been as varied as the themes he explores in his poetry. From politics and business to his time in the US Army, he has experienced the many facets of human endeavor and history. These experiences have provided abundant material for his poetic work, allowing him to write authentically and deeply.   For 37 years, poetry was a private form of journaling, a way to cope with life's challenges and celebrate its moments of significance. Only recently, Joel began to share his work with the world, hoping to bring reflection, understanding, and perhaps inspiration to those who read his words. more…

All Joel Hawksley poems | Joel Hawksley Books

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1 Comment
  • susan.brumel
    Your poem is so well written, it’s a pleasure to read. It’s a sad account of life, in my opinion, starting its fall at the minute of birth. I tend to look at life as a journey that started before my present birth and one that will continue after my time in this earthly realm. As a result, as I read this, I found myself thinking how different my perspective on life is from yours. I’m not making judgments as to which way to think about our journey is better, just how differently we look at it.
    All that said, great poetry lends itself to good discussions and many interpretations. Great job, Joel. 
    LikeReply12 days ago
    • yelskwah
      Thank you so much for your kind words about my poem, "Crushed." I truly appreciate you taking the time to read it and share your thoughts. I'm incredibly grateful for your insightful comments and how thoughtfully you expressed your perspective.

      I completely understand and respect your view of life as a continuous journey extending beyond our earthly existence. It's a beautiful and comforting perspective, and it's fascinating to see how differently we can interpret the same experience. As you rightly pointed out, great poetry thrives on diverse interpretations and discussions, and I'm delighted that my poem sparked such a thoughtful exchange with you. It means a lot to me that you connected with the writing, even if our viewpoints differ. Thank you again for your generous feedback and for engaging with my work in such a meaningful way.
       
      LikeReply 112 days ago
    • susan.brumel
      You’re very welcome, Joel. It’s always my pleasure to read your poetry.
      LikeReply12 days ago

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"Crushed" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 23 Feb. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/213043/crushed>.

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