Poetry Power: “Lost and Found”

Our first February artist to be published is sophomore Sebora Harten. In response to what this poem is about, Harten reflected, “If I’m answering this correctly this poem is about me. Not being able to write a poem and being completely betrayed by the one thing I can count on while doing so… my brain.” Reckoning with the conflict of dependency vs independency, Harten’s piece calls attention to the themes of entrapment and freedom.

Lost and Found

I failed to write. 

My mind loses itself. 

I find nothing there.

I have been betrayed.

The thing I rely on the most is gone and now I don’t know what to do.

My faith in my abilities is shattered, 

Now trust is gone. 

What I thought was once golden turned to green in a day,

Now I feel lost. 

Where do I go? 

I doubt myself now.

Mother, is what I do enough for the world or am I a silent bird who never sang?

Mother, were the joyish days empty in my state of ignorant bliss?

Or is what you told me true?

Mother, I thought I was born to rise but then then I fell

And I still lack the ability to get up.

Who is there to pick me up?

It is certainly not me; I have done nothing to pick myself up,

 

Now I don’t want to.

I need to rise

Or I will fall

And that will be 

The end.