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Poetry

Despite

Maverick Kabelo12 Dec 20221 min read
A person in a hoodie sits slumped on a sofa with a cardboard box over their head, black and white
Joel Lee (Unsplash)

In the quiet of his solitude,
He finds not peace nor solace.

He’s a man with social anxiety,
And spends a lot of time alone.

But it’s not by choice,
It’s the way his mind has grown.

He’s accomplished so much,
Though in that condition.

He can public speak in front of a hundred,
And pitch with confidence, despite…

But in social settings,
He struggles to connect.

His anxiety consumes him,
And he feels like he’s been rejected.

But he perseveres,
And continues to strive, despite…

He knows that his talents,
Are worth so much more than just being alive.

But why still does he seek refuge in his solitude,
When the solitude traps him.

And though he spends a lot of time alone,
He knows that he’s capable.

Maybe he can overcome his social phobia,
And live a fulfilling life, it’s all he wants.

Written byMaverick KabeloFounder, Digital Thread

Speaker, founder and civic organiser working across Botswana and South Africa on digital strategy, AI, data protection and youth leadership. Founder of Digital Thread and The Civic Chapter; founded Africa’s Very Own in 2018.

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