The Cave

A poem about emotional abuse based on Plato’s allegory of the cave.

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They were hard to see at first.
The shadows on the wall, so dark.

You helped me.
Interpreted them.
Gave them meaning.
Connected the dots.

It all seemed somehow not real, distorted.
Something was off.

You reassured me.
Just keep watching.
Your eyes will adjust.
You will adjust.

You told me keep listening
To your voice, your words.
You know the truth.
You are wise and educated.

There is only this, only us.

But wait. Do you hear that?
A voice. It’s faint.
What’s it saying?

It’s nothing, you say.

But I keep hearing it, faintly.
What’s it saying?

Go outside.
You don’t belong here.

Outside? Where?
That can’t be right.
There is no outside.
There is only here.