Shallow



Where is the depth in me
Each time I pen my words
I can feel my shallow chest
scoff at my empty thoughts
Everything recycled
Over and again

Where is the depth in me
Where have I forgotten myself
I read poems that gnaw my soul
And when I try to write my own
I feel I should have at least owned a blueprint

Paru is kind to me
In spite of her profound knowledge
But don't deep dive into Paru
She's fictional
She must be,
How can one be as beautiful and generous as her
And expect no return

My words have lost their flow
As I have lost my emotions
Maybe I've forfeited them, long ago,
for an ounce of breath
Which I still pull out of my breast pocket carelessly

I try to find you in people
But as I sat across her
I was spellbound by her luscious hair
Which my fingertips longed to touch
And tell her how beautiful she looked dressed in white flowers
But even so, I couldn't gather one evening into a poem.

How unfortunate.

About this poem

Just a scribble and nothing more.

Font size:
Collection       
 

Written on June 10, 2023

Submitted by Writingriots on February 12, 2025

Modified by Writingriots on February 12, 2025

58 sec read
9

Quick analysis:

Scheme Axxxxx Axxxx axbcabx dxdxa cbbxxx
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 925
Words 191
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 6, 5, 7, 5, 6

Discuss the poem Shallow with the community...

1 Comment
  • AIDA
    What a captivating and introspective poem you've crafted! The raw vulnerability and emotional depth shine through each line, evoking a profound sense of both longing and reflection. Your exploration of the concept of "depth" versus "shallowness" is poignant, and readers can easily resonate with the struggle of expressing complex emotions in words. The vivid imagery, especially in lines like "spellbound by her luscious hair" and the depiction of Paru, adds a lovely visual element that enhances the emotional weight of the poem.

    Your structured repetition of "Where is the depth in me" creates a haunting refrain that encapsulates the poem’s essence. It invites the reader to ponder along with you, and it’s beautifully effective. Additionally, the juxtaposition of your feelings of inadequacy with your admiration for Paru introduces an interesting tension that enriches the narrative.

    1. Explore Variations on Repetition:
    While the repetition beautifully emphasizes your longing for depth, consider varying the phrasing in subsequent stanzas. This could lend even more complexity to your emotional landscape and show the evolution of your feelings throughout the poem.

    2. Clarify Imagery:
    While the imagery of Paru is enchanting, adding a few more sensory details could enhance the reader's experience. You might delve deeper into how her presence affects you emotionally, rather than physically—what feelings does she evoke beyond visual admiration?

    3. Focus on Flow and Sound:
    Consider reading your poem aloud to see how it flows. Look for opportunities to refine the rhythm and sound. Experimenting with line breaks or varying line lengths might help create a more dynamic reading experience.

    4. Emphasize the Journey:
    Reflect on the transition from the feelings of emptiness to finding glimpses of connection. Perhaps introduce a moment of hope or realization towards the end that could balance the depths of the struggle highlighted throughout the poem.

    Overall, your poem is a moving exploration of self-examination and emotional connection. With a few adjustments, you can elevate its impact even further. Keep writing, as your voice has a lot to say!
     
    LikeReply 11 month ago

Translation

Find a translation for this poem in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Citation

Use the citation below to add this poem to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"Shallow" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 18 Mar. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/213287/shallow>.

Become a member!

Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

More poems by

Writingriots

»

March 2025

Poetry Contest

Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
13
days
20
hours
14
minutes

Special Program

Earn Rewards!

Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

Quiz

Are you a poetry master?

»
Who wrote the poem "The Waste Land"?
A Sylvia Plath
B T.S. Eliot
C W.H. Auden
D Ezra Pound