The Archetype of the Unlived
Poem based on Carl Jung's ideologies
I took myself out of the running
Time and time again
Hesitated, paused, forgetting to breathe
Thoughtful caution
Or so I thought
Delayed action
My own undoing
Life—not pursuing
A shadow
Cunning
Kept me on the sidelines
Dangling reprieve
~
Pardoned, not
I doubted more
Certain uncertainty
Underscore
Procrastination
A wind-puff
Riding hesitation’s coattails
delaying
delaying
delaying everything more…
~
Temporary becomes habitual
Chronic, deliberate
Put off today until tomorrow
Tomorrow to the next
Next to sometime, someday
Imprisoned
By shadow
I tell myself
Because lies are easier
Then, ending this ritual
A lesson haunts; I won’t read the text
I won’t take Shadow’s hand
Come out to play
~
Fear and overthinking
Have led me astray
Perfectionism
Guilt
Stress
Have pressed the pause button
On deliberate
Indefinite delay
Shadow cringes
As I stall
Might I fade into the backdrop
While a contour
Bears it all
~
Author's note: My poem is a sample from my current project, my debut poetry collection slated for release in December 2026.
Originally published on 03/11/26 on Medium
Many thanks to all who read!
About the Creator
Marilyn Glover
Poet and editor, writing to uplift humanity; working on her debut poetry collection to be released in 2026.
British American dual citizen living in the States. Mother of four, grandmother of two.
Owner of The Quiet Collective
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Comments (12)
It is great!! Thank you!❤️
CONGRATS TOP STORY🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🙏💜 🙏💜🙏💜🙏💜 Thank you 🙏💜🙏💜🙏💜
First off, great poem. Made me think of myself and how I would define a certain friend's current situation. Secondly, Congrats on your upcoming book🤩! Hope you publish and update before it comes out.
That battle with hesitation feels so real here. Great work!
this is really beautiful, Marilyn!! Congrats on your top story
What a gorgeous poem, Marilyn! I would really love to know what you are working on for Medium. I'm sure whatever it is, I'm totally for it. Holy kailash tours
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Your shadow has come out to play. Wonderful! I love some of your wordage. Very clever.
Absolutely beautiful poem Marilyn -love to know what you are working on for Medium. However whatever it is I am completely on board. I am due to re-subscribe tomorrow for a year and I will. I am not as derogatory as others about Medium, I never made the big bucks- I never had been boosted, but I enjoy it - Will see what my pub will produce.
I love this line! " Riding hesitation’s coattails". We've all been there. Please come back and tell us when your poetry is out as I, for one, will buy a copy. No more hesitating - time to grasp life and put yourself out there. Good on you.
Thrilled for you, Marilyn! Your debut poetry collection will be a banger, and I'll be first in line to buy it. I still remember your kind words for the What is Love to You? poetry contest, I believe you wrote "this poem nearly knocked me off my chair," I've literally not forgotten that line, ha. You supported me when I was a fledgling poet and my gratitude is eternal.
This felt so relatable. Loved your poem!