Finale Spotlights

Summary

Daniel A. Teo reflects on his aspirations and the societal expectations of success through a personal and whimsical poem, contrasting traditional career paths with more unconventional desires.

Abstract

In a reflective piece titled "Finale Spotlights," Daniel A. Teo confronts the conventional career paths of lawyer, doctor, and real estate, which he finds interrupting the simple joys of life, like watching kitten videos. He questions the traditional 9-to-5 work life, wondering if it's truly what he desires or just another expectation imposed on him. Teo shares his feelings of inadequacy, likening himself to a tree branch with bearings too small for fruit, and expresses a longing for experiences that are out of the ordinary, like being consumed by an alligator or sharing a moment with hyenas. The poem is a response to a prompt by Lucy The Eggcademic, which asks about three things one wants to accomplish before dying. Teo's introspection leads him to conclude that his deepest wish is to live a life bigger than the sum of its parts.

Opinions

The author is skeptical about conventional career paths and the 9-to-5 work lifestyle, viewing them as interruptions to personal fulfillment.
There is a sense of disillusionment with societal norms, as Teo feels pressured to regurgitate internet bucket lists rather than discovering genuine personal aspirations.
Teo expresses a desire for extraordinary experiences, suggesting a value for adventure and uniqueness over traditional markers of success like money and marriage.
The poem conveys a longing to break free from societal expectations and to define success on one's own terms, aiming for a life that is exceptional and meaningful.
There is an underlying theme of self-discovery and the pursuit of a life that aligns with one's true self, beyond the external pressures of what one "should" want to achieve.

A Poem

I thought I knew what I wanted to do lawyer, doctor, real estate and all that keeps interrupting my kitten youtube videos

but is that really what I want I thought 9–5 was 4 hours do I really have to spend the first twenty to spend another till my boss fires me for the odors of my wrinkles?

I don't have anything only a branch with bearings too small to be labeled fruition

maybe eaten by an alligator would be cool; thrown off a bungee jumping deck into cotton candy; I'm also open to tongue with a clan of hyenas

Whatever, I’ve been taught to regurgitate internet bucket lists but what if it’s empty, only filled with the thought of money and wife because now I'm simply a seed, no water, no first kiss all I am; all I want at least

is to be bigger than life.

This is my response to Lucy The Eggcademic (she/her)’s prompt theme: What are three things you want to accomplish before you die?

Check it out here :

Thank you for reading :)) Hop onto this fun prompt with me!!!

Finale Spotlights

A Poem

✨ What are three things you want to accomplish before you die?

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