Echoes of Tomorrow

Photo by _zash_ capturing on Unsplash

A Poem by Ryan Emerson

To my future self—

Please delve

Into the trauma

That’s caused us

To silently slip insane,

Suppressing the unbearable guilt and the shame,

With the bottle, a razor, our conscience a vein.

Unlocking a past that swings on a weathered rope–

Will it tighten like a noose or lift us toward hope?

Heed, the more answers you seek,

The more questions that leak,

When you subconsciously speak

To the resentments you keep.

Don’t you dare hide, don’t you flee.

Embrace the darkness that hides the key.

Take a leap, trust and believe–

The light whispers through night’s last sieve.

The sun will rise, and we’ll see

Another chance for reprieve.

And revel,

For we’ve danced with the devil.

Yet here we stand, level,

Sound and strong–

A phenomenon

A defiant song,

Determined and motivated

Not to fade in

To the abyss.

Ryan is a poet whose work thoughtfully explores themes of darkness, resilience, transformation, and the subtle yet profound emergence of light. Drawing from deeply personal experiences, his poetry weaves vivid imagery, emotional authenticity, and hopeful symbolism to resonate powerfully with readers. Beyond writing, Ryan is devoted to his family and to an ongoing, intentional journey of awakening the fullest expression of self—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. His path through recovery and renewal led him to become a certified personal trainer and nutritionist, where he stepped into the calling that gave his pain purpose: helping others heal, grow, and rise—just as he has—one step, one rep, and one word at a time.