Poet’s Note: As a kid, I never understood the point of free verses. With my hands locked tightly in fists and a haughty expression on my face, I used to point it out and ask, “What kind of a poem is this? It doesn’t even rhyme.”
Now I look back and laugh at my ignorance, because a poem- no matter in what form- is a symbol of artistic beauty.

This poem is about how our future careers are heavily influenced by what’s popular in the field. If your passion is something else, then it may not be taken kindly or with the same enthusiasm. For all those out there following your dreams, you are doing the right thing.

In today’s world, the best you can be is if you do the ordinary.
Follow the crowds, blindfolded, and mimic their every move.
Without even asking, “Is this really what I want to do?”
“Is this really who I want to be?”

Embrace your future with a false, forced smile,
The ardent dreams of childhood were buried long ago.
The words “I want to be…” turned into “I have to be…”
Because anything unusual is not to be applauded.

Today’s definition of success is lack of sleep,
Endless hours of interminable work,
And an achievement that had once mattered so much,
Lost among other frivolous trinkets and meaningless papers.

When you walk into a room, awed whispers arise
“Oh, she has achieved so much in life!”
And once upon a time, those words had brought out pride.
But now only add to your reminders of another lifetime.

Wasn’t it so beautiful?
When the most pressing worry was
What to wear to school, or “Do I look cool?”
Those times when the air was filled with childish hope.

When every wish seemed like a possibility.
Every daydream seemed like the road to success.
Because in big bold letters, “FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS”
Was plastered on your colourful walls.

Only, carefully hidden behind it,
Was the true reality of it all.