..~•august eve

thoughts turn to my return

to grind is the task i often spurn

inevitably growing to yearn

fearing the judgmental

side eye burn

a muddled mess of pedestals

we must climb

imitating others

step in line

find your pathway

imitation takes it away

feel thievery

fake flattery

know imitation

stand on inclination

mockery surrounds each fleeting trend

i brace myself for what lies on your bend

exhaustion comes

a friend who’s close at hand

to keep the pace

i must follow the algorithms command

a necessary evil we partake

in this relentless race impossible to break

a boundary we chase but never find

ever-moving line

fear of being left behind

the photo lies

a smile hiding strain

for success we bear

this constant pain

i pause to contemplate

the mask we wear

the cost i calculate

this unavoidable burden

of august eve