I took my expectations

English27 lines1 public analyses
Original Poetry
Translation
I took my expectations
I took my hopes
And buried them all
And buried them all
at the bottom of the sea
at the bottom of the sea
as I alone was never brave enough
because I was never brave enough
to dive that deep
to dive that deep
I took my pain
I took my pain
the anguish
the distress
and turned it into power
and turned it into strength
I found more of myself
I found more of myself
in the loneliest of hours
in the loneliest of times
I used my tears to create rivers
I used my tears to create rivers
for my boat
for my boat
on my disappointment and betrayal
on my disappointment and betrayal
I float
I float
I float
I float
I took your absence
I took your absence
as a sign to move on
as a sign to move on
now the melody has changed
now the melody has changed
and I sing a new song
and I sing a new song
My heart, broken blue
My heart, broken and blue
my mind split in two
my mind split in two
and yet I gained peace
and yet I gained peace
at the loss of you
after losing you
I took the heartache
I took the heartache
and learned a lesson
and learned a lesson
I began after we ended
I began anew after we ended
you leaving was my blessing
you leaving was my blessing
 

Explanation

This poem is a journey of transformation and self-discovery following emotional turmoil. The speaker begins by describing how they buried their expectations 'at the bottom of the sea,' symbolizing a release of unattainable hopes due to a lack of courage to pursue them. This act of letting go is a recurring theme, as the speaker transforms their 'pain' and 'anguish' into 'power,' finding strength in solitude.

The imagery of using tears to create rivers for a boat on 'disappointment and betrayal' suggests a navigation through emotional turmoil, where the speaker learns to float above their sorrows. This metaphor highlights resilience and the ability to adapt to life's challenges by turning negative experiences into opportunities for growth.

Emotionally, the poem moves from despair to empowerment. Initially, the speaker's heart is 'broken blue' and their mind 'split in two,' yet they find peace in the absence of a significant other. This shift in perspective is marked by a change in 'melody,' indicating a new beginning and a fresh outlook on life.

The poem employs metaphors and imagery effectively to convey the transformation from heartache to empowerment. The repetition of 'I float' emphasizes the speaker's newfound ability to rise above their struggles. The poem's free verse form allows for an organic flow of thoughts and emotions, mirroring the speaker's journey.

Ultimately, the poem speaks to the universal experience of finding strength in adversity and the liberation that comes from letting go of past burdens. It reflects a personal evolution and the realization that what initially seemed like a loss was, in fact, a blessing in disguise.

Word Dictionary6

WordIn EnglishPlain (English)Pron.
expectationshopes, beliefsthings you hope will happeneks-pek-tay-shuns
anguishextreme pain, sufferingdeep emotional painang-gwish
betrayaldisloyalty, treacherybeing unfaithful or disloyalbi-tray-ul
melodytune, songa sequence of musical notesmel-uh-dee
heartacheemotional pain, sorrowpain from emotional distresshart-ayk
blessinggift, benefitsomething good or helpfulbles-ing

Poet & Context

Poet
EraContemporary

The poet of this piece is unknown, and it appears to be a contemporary work reflecting personal growth and emotional resilience.


WhenContemporary period
WhyThe poem reflects themes of personal growth, resilience, and transformation following emotional hardship. It captures the journey of turning pain into strength and finding peace after loss.
FormFree verse

Themes & More

TransformationResilienceSelf-discoveryEmotional healing
Metaphor: 'buried them all at the bottom of the sea' symbolizes letting go of expectations.Imagery: 'used my tears to create rivers' evokes a vivid picture of emotional release.Repetition: 'I float' emphasizes the speaker's ability to rise above challenges.
I took my expectations by Unknown poet — Poem, Translation & Meaning