Editor’s Note: Introspective Ramblings is Amherst Wire’s poetry column, dedicated to showcasing student’s creative work.

Measured Growth

Any traces of naivete are gone

Remnants of a soul crushed, in more ways than one

Are hidden in plain sight,

Concealed under days passed in a frenetic haze.

While I cling to the slightest shred of hope of

A return of sunlight not shrouded by the clouds

Always a millimeter beyond my grasp, 

For some, that is a sign of growth

I, however, know the truth

Faking happiness can only take you so far.

And I have a long way to go

Before it’s all over.

Email Joanna at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @JBuoniconti