poem by Lorraine Fae

Reading Lorraine Fae's poem, I felt a profound connection to the way she describes moments of vulnerability as both isolating and expansive. The line 'like a dying cat, I withdraw; I do my breaking alone' resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced emotional solitude during their darkest times. It reflects a natural instinct to retreat inward for self-preservation. In my personal experience, embracing these moments of quiet withdrawal has been essential for emotional healing. Rather than forcing myself to be expansive or overly social when feeling broken, I’ve found that honoring the need to be 'small' and held close allows for deeper reflection and eventual growth. The tension between feeling oneself 'stretching seams' and being confined by 'walls' mirrors the internal struggles many face with identity, boundaries, and self-acceptance. The poem’s somber tone aligns well with the #darkacademia aesthetic, blending intellectual contemplation with emotional depth. It encourages readers to acknowledge that breaking is part of becoming whole, a process that involves confrontation with inner edges and walls. For those who appreciate poetry as a means of processing complex emotions, Lorraine Fae’s words offer solace and validation. The imagery of expansiveness juxtaposed with constraint invites a meditation on how we navigate personal turmoil. Using poetry tags like #poetryaesthetic and #words, the poem serves not just as art but as a shared human experience, reminding us that feeling small can be a necessary and even beautiful part of our growth journey.