Flying solo

’tis not always in your face
oft it is subtle
camouflaged in persuasion
sometimes a veiled threat
the pressure to be a part of the herd;
elite or otherwise
you know it is not right
but you give in
to blend in
to belong

’tis gaslighting by another name
breaking their rules
not toeing their line
seems more sacrilegious
than any other wrong
you know it is wrong
yet you give in
to blend in
to belong

And then comes a time you realise
you are an individual
an outsider in a sea of conformity
sometimes an outlier; which is okay
doing your own thing
doing what your heart desires
and you stand your ground
no longer giving in
no longer trying to blend in
no longer trying to belong
finally free to fly solo.

Written for dVerse poetics. Today’s host, Sanaa, says: For Today’s Poetics, I want you all to think along the lines of Peer Pressure.