INDEPENDENT

0.12 … Redefined

Independent once
meant freedom, and
the chance to chase
down my dreams.

Independent once
meant stability, and
the chance to stand
on my own feet.

Independent once
meant untethered, and
the chance to dance
to my spirit’s rhythm.

But college admissions
must have missed that memo
and chose to redefine
what Independent
meant in my life.

To them,
it was the pretty
and professional way
to say orphan.

What I wouldn’t give
to rewrite their dictionary
so Independent no longer
reminded me of loneliness and
meant something beautiful
once more…

⚬⧝⚬

For more from this collection, visit

elluminations, vol. 0
INDEPENDENT

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Cover Photo by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash  |   (elluminations © 2018 Elayna Mae Darcy)