For so long, I was scared,
Afraid of the silence, of being unshared.
I thought that company meant I was whole,
But the wrong friendships took a toll on my soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I clung to connections that never felt right,
Hoping to find joy, to feel some light.
But in the name of togetherness, I lost my way,
Forcing myself into places I shouldn\u2019t stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wore a smile, but it didn\u2019t feel real,
In friendships that broke me, I could hardly heal.
Each laugh felt hollow, each bond felt weak,
And still, I kept searching for the love I could seek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When alone with my thoughts, I\u2019d feel the pain rise,
Mistakes and old traumas danced in my mind\u2019s eyes.
I ran from my presence, afraid of what\u2019s there,
Not knowing the power of quiet self-care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I invited myself where I didn\u2019t belong,
Thinking that fitting in meant I was strong.
But in those crowded rooms, I felt so alone,
Yearning for comfort, for a place I could own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I began to let go of the texts and the calls,
Those who didn\u2019t want me, who never cared at all.
I chose to attend only what felt right,
To spend time with myself, to reclaim my light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At first, it felt strange, being alone with my thoughts,
But I learned to embrace all the lessons life taught.
Quiet moments became a soothing balm,
In the stillness, I found a new kind of calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I started to understand the beauty of me,
To cherish the moments I was truly free.
Self-care became sacred, a path to my heart,
I realized I was whole, I\u2019d always been a part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now I love me more, and it feels so real,
With each passing day, I learn how to heal.
I embrace my own company, no need to pretend,
In this journey of growth, I\u2019ve found my best friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No longer do I force connections that strain,
I seek what nourishes, what eases the pain.
I\u2019m comfortable in my skin, I\u2019ve come to know,
The magic of solitude, the strength I can show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So here\u2019s to the journey, to the love that I\u2019ve found,
In the quiet of being, I\u2019m finally unbound.
I celebrate my flaws, my mistakes, and my past,
For in learning to love me, I\u2019ve discovered at last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being alone isn\u2019t lonely; it\u2019s a chance to be free,
To explore all the layers of who I can be.
So I\u2019ll cherish this time, this beautiful space,
For in loving myself, I\u2019ve found my own grace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For so long, I was scared,Afraid of the silence, of being unshared.I thought that company meant I was whole,But the wrong friendships took a toll on my soul. I clung to connections that never felt right,Hoping to find joy, to feel some light.But in the name of togetherness, I lost my way,Forcing myself into places […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2795,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,25,98,1],"tags":[35,49,34,67,50,61,55,53,22,48],"class_list":["post-2794","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-poetry","category-solitude","category-storytime","category-uncategorized","tag-poems","tag-poetess","tag-poetry","tag-preciousowoko","tag-spokenword","tag-spokenwords","tag-stories","tag-story","tag-walkingshadowpoetry","tag-walkingshadowpoetrykenya"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-1172253.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1251&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2790,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/embracing-me-by-walking-shadow-poetry\/","url_meta":{"origin":2794,"position":0},"title":"Embracing Me by walking shadow poetry","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"October 24, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"For so long, I lived in fear,Afraid of being alone, drawing nearTo friendships that felt forced,Relationships that were broken and coarse.I thought being with others would fill the void,But deep down, my heart felt destroyed. I chased company like a lost little child,Filling my life with connections so mild.I forced\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "POETRY"","block_context":{"text":"POETRY","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/SPOKENWORDSandMODERNDAYPOETRY\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"man sitting on bench","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-1666779.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-1666779.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-1666779.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-1666779.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2798,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/embracing-me-by-walking-shadow-poetry-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":2794,"position":1},"title":"Embracing Me by walking shadow poetry.","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"October 24, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I\u2019ve been scared for so long,Afraid of being alone,So I clung to friendshipsThat felt more like chains than home.In the name of company,I settled for less,In relationships that broke me,In bonds that caused stress. I thought I needed others,To fill up my days,But instead, I lost myselfIn a tangled, confusing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "POETRY"","block_context":{"text":"POETRY","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/SPOKENWORDSandMODERNDAYPOETRY\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"woman in white long sleeve shirt standing near white and gray house during daytime","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-103127.jpeg?fit=1200%2C625&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-103127.jpeg?fit=1200%2C625&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-103127.jpeg?fit=1200%2C625&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-103127.jpeg?fit=1200%2C625&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-103127.jpeg?fit=1200%2C625&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2604,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/a-battle-i-never-chose-by-walking-shadow-poetry-kenya\/","url_meta":{"origin":2794,"position":2},"title":"A Battle I Never Chose by walking shadow poetry Kenya.","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"September 7, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I\u2019ve carried this weight since I was a child,Rejection met me when I was too young to understand.The words they threw stuck like barbed wire in my skin,I grew up wearing it like an invisible cloakTrying to be good enough, trying to fit in. I learned early how to smile\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "POETRY"","block_context":{"text":"POETRY","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/SPOKENWORDSandMODERNDAYPOETRY\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"calm man with flowers on pavement","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-5714746.jpeg?fit=805%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-5714746.jpeg?fit=805%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-5714746.jpeg?fit=805%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-5714746.jpeg?fit=805%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3155,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/shes-no-longer-here-but-her-love-still-fills-my-heart-by-walking-shadow-poetry\/","url_meta":{"origin":2794,"position":3},"title":"She\u2019s No Longer Here, But Her Love Still Fills My Heart by Walking Shadow poetry","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"March 31, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"I used to wake up with tears in my eyes,Wishing, just for a moment, I could turn back time.Losing you felt like losing a piece of myself,Like a book missing its final chapter. At first, the pain was unbearable.Every morning felt heavier than the last.I would hear a joke and\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/252fa3bb5c6bcc16764146bf2270bea7.jpg?fit=236%2C420&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5492,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/when-being-chosen-feels-strange\/","url_meta":{"origin":2794,"position":4},"title":"When Being Chosen Feels Strange","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"March 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Sometimes, you get so used to being an optionthat being chosen feels unfamiliar,almost like a trick,like something that might disappearThe moment you believe in it. You start to question everything.Kindness feels suspicious.Consistency feels temporary. Because you rememberWhat it was like before. Friendships where you had to prove yourself,over and over\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art"","block_context":{"text":"Art","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/SPOKENWORDSandMODERNDAYPOETRY\/art\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MG_9453-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MG_9453-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MG_9453-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MG_9453-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2749,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/the-wrong-train-by-walking-shadow-poetry\/","url_meta":{"origin":2794,"position":5},"title":"The Wrong Train by walking shadow poetry.","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"October 9, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I boarded a train called us,Excited for the journey,Hoping it would lead somewhere special.The ticket was my heart,And I gave it willingly,Not knowing how far we'd go. At first, it felt right,The laughs, the late-night talks,The promises that sounded like forever.But as the miles went by,The doubts crept in,Little signs\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "POETRY"","block_context":{"text":"POETRY","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/SPOKENWORDSandMODERNDAYPOETRY\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"train in railway","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-2790396.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-2790396.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-2790396.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-2790396.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pexels-photo-2790396.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2794","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2794"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2794\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2796,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2794\/revisions\/2796"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2794"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2794"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2794"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}