There is so much truth in this write. The feeling of being obligated to be someone else may have been felt by many of us. Using the word labyrinth here was fitting, as we do entangle ourselves up in dilemmas we have created. 'Losing track of his own soul' is a powerful line.

A piece with strength. Great write!

Shane,
This is a fabulous piece of writing, very well constructed of someone hiding behind a mask, so to speak.
Well done

Michael :)

There is nothing else I can add. Fantastic work as ever

This poem gave me the bizarre feeling of "reading my own thoughts" As it sounds like the escape the author describes here could easily apply to writing poetry itself. I feel it is especially true in regard to my earlier high school writings from many years ago. It's crazy, the poem almost feels invasive in that regard because it strikes me almost as more of a reality check: What AM I writing for?

What might be the thing that compels us to write what we write? It's so easy indeed, to fall into the trap that we start to feel our writing is this excuse... a medium in which we can express ourselves and hope people can appreciate. Yet, sometimes I think this results in our own detriment, as the expectation of feedback/praise/scorn, and receiving it (or lack thereof) can be devastating to one's self esteem at times.

If we truly enjoy writing, and enjoy poetry as tool to engage with it, then the act of writing itself should be all we need for it to be fulfilling as a method/form of expression.

I appreciate the manner in which this poem helps me keep track of my own soul :)

Incredible work here! Very nicely done!