I Am Only Human Poem by Shushan Artinian

I thought myself independent,
Free, like a bird that soars.
Alas, I am dependent, like a caged bird
That is fed each day.

I thought myself invincible,
Powerful, who can conquer the world.
Alas, I am vincible, as a victim
Subdued by his perpetrator.

I thought myself ingenious,
Clever enough to solve any challenge.
Alas, I am an imbecile to think that
I can solve anything, anytime.

I thought myself unafraid,
Of failure, loneliness and death.
Alas, I am terrified from just the thought
Of failing, dying, even living.

I thought myself immortal,
Able to cheat death and live eternally.
Alas, I am mortal, fragile enough
To snap into two like a rotted twig.

I am only human;
A weak, dependent, foolish human,
Put on earth, imprisoned in time,
Tortured each day by a ‘thing’ called life.
Common experiences of failure, abuse,
Accident and fight draining my vitality.
Merciless claws of fear, worry, sorrow
And pain strangling the soul within me.