the pressure to be

what is this pressure to be?

where did it come from?

did it shower down upon us in a

societal manner?

did we all ask for it & therefore,

none of us had a choice

baring the collective nature of its

burden?

does it

writhe

by itself

within?

does it eat like the strongest of cancers,

hollowing out the insides,

quietly &

secretly,

as if no one knew it had ever begun?

why do we feel the need to

prove ourselves to each other?

what do we think any of this

self-stressing

accomplishes?

just who

do we think

we are,

besides humans

pointing fingers at other

humans,

wanting more from one another,

sometimes so much more than

any of us can give…

and for what?