Poetry Analysis

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Blueprint

Original Poetry

Translation

I was told to stand straight

I was told to stand up straight

So I bent backwards

So I leaned backwards

To reach higher

So I forgot where the ground was

So I lost track of where the ground was

To make you proud

So I carved myself into something you’d clap for

So I shaped myself into something you’d applaud

And called the bleeding ambition.

And called the pain ambition.

You said expectations are love in disguise,

You said expectations are hidden love,

But I’ve seen love

And it doesn’t keep score.

And it doesn’t keep track.

I learned that potential is a leash

I learned that potential is a restraint

Made of compliments;

That “you can do anything”

Really means

Actually means

“As long as it’s what we wanted you to do.”

And every time I almost break free

And every time I almost escape

You say “I knew you could do it”

And I hate you for being right,

And I resent you for being right,

Because the truth is

Even the way I fight you

Even the way I resist you

Is something you taught me to do.

Is something you taught me.

So tell me -

Where do your hands end

Where do your hands stop

And mine begin?

And mine start?

Maybe there’s

No difference

Anymore -

Maybe I never was

Mine

My own

At all.

Explanation

The poem 'Blueprint' reflects on the pressures of conforming to societal expectations and the struggle for personal identity. The speaker describes how they were instructed to behave in a certain way, leading them to lose their sense of self ('I forgot where the ground was'). The metaphor of 'bleeding ambition' suggests the pain and sacrifice involved in trying to meet these expectations. The poem critiques the notion that expectations are a form of love, arguing that true love does not keep score or impose conditions. The speaker realizes that compliments and encouragements are often conditional, tied to fulfilling others' desires rather than their own. The poem explores the theme of autonomy, questioning where the influence of others ends and personal identity begins. The speaker expresses frustration at being molded by others, even in their resistance, and questions whether they ever truly belonged to themselves. This introspective piece uses free verse to convey its themes, employing metaphors and rhetorical questions to engage the reader in a reflection on identity and autonomy.

Word Dictionary11

Word	In English	Plain (English)	Pron.
bent	curved	changed direction or shape	bent
carved	shaped	cut or molded into a form	karvd
bleeding	hurting	experiencing pain or loss	blee-ding
ambition	goal	strong desire to achieve something	am-bish-un
expectations	beliefs	hopes or assumptions about what will happen	ex-pek-tay-shuns
disguise	cover	something that hides the true nature	dis-guyz
potential	possibility	capability to develop or succeed	po-ten-shul
leash	restraint	a means of control or limitation	leesh
compliments	praises	expressions of admiration or approval	kom-pli-ments
resent	dislike	feel bitterness or anger towards	ree-zent
autonomy	independence	freedom to make one's own decisions	aw-ton-uh-mee

Poet & Context

Poet—

EraContemporary

The author of this poem is unknown. It appears to be a contemporary piece reflecting modern themes of identity and autonomy.

WhenContemporary

WhyThe poem explores themes of identity, autonomy, and the pressure of societal expectations. It reflects the struggle between personal desires and the expectations imposed by others, possibly inspired by personal experiences or observations of modern societal dynamics.

FormFree verse

Themes & More

Themes

IdentityAutonomySocietal ExpectationsConformity

Literary devices

Metaphor: 'bleeding ambition' suggests the pain of striving for success.Rhetorical Question: 'Where do your hands end and mine begin?' questions personal boundaries.Imagery: 'bent backwards' and 'carved myself' create visual images of transformation.