The Thought of Change

By Breana Osja

Posted on May 1, 2025

Cover Image Title: A Tulip in the Garden of Tansies

Cover Image by: Phuong

Classification: Digital Artwork

Specifications: 1665 pixels x 928 pixels

Year: 2025

Location of Creation: California, U.S.A.

I yearn to move past these hues, brightening my walk behind me.

As much as I hope for a change—a change to let me be accepted.

Although, I do not know whose approval I seek out more, mine or the voices surrounding me.

I wish for a change in which I have no clue whether I’ll wither or arise once I’ve received it. 

I want to change how the day fades into the frozen depths of the night.

How the sweet, graceful white swan transforms into the tormented black swan. 

How lively summer slowly succumbs to the still winter.

I wish to bring dusk now, not dawn.

I’ve noticed all these stars dimming out by the side of me; I’m unfazed.

I’m unfazed until I’m the only star brightly shining; I’m confused.

I’m confused until the other stars hush together, forming clusters without me; I’m scared.

I’m scared until I realize what I must do; I’m lost. 

I’m lost.

I had asked myself a few questions at first:

Why must I change?

Why must he change?

Why must she change?

Why must they change?

Why must we change?

Change. I don’t like change.

We’re used to each bloom, the different shapes of our flowers,

Different colors on our stems and petals.

I look around and see only tansies surrounding a single yellow tulip. 

A single tulip trying to match the others, that tulip being me. 

I still get strange inquiries as to who was the one to plant a tulip in a garden of tansies.

But, I wished the others knew that before, there were thousands of different flowers growing

here. 

All at once.

I yearn for my path backward and forward to have colors forming at the soles of my feet.

I hope for a change, but not for me this time. 

A change for others, to make their discomfort comfortable. 

I wish they all understood there are hundreds of colors rather than just the ones on the rainbow. 

I have figured out whose approval I need to seek. 

Mine. 

I will not be moved by the siren’s voice trying to pull me into a dark, pitiless sea of torment. 

I will stand on my own legs.

I will listen to my own mind.

I will feel and lead with my own heart.

I will wear the clothes that I want with my own body.

I will speak the words I want with my own mouth. 

I will hear only what is essential for my success and growth with my own ears. 

I will lay my soft touch on whatever object will help me with my own hands. 

My mind will face no change if commanded by another. 

The only master of my mind is me; it will always be me. 

I welcome change if it is for my benefit. 

And I will never turn into a fire burnt out; my fire will continue to burn even without others. 

Description: 

I made this poem to show young minds that change is nothing to be afraid of if you play your cards correctly. Change is truly a make-or-break, but we are the ones who decide that. Now, people have started to become similar whether it be looks, personality, and so forth. I believe change should help us separate ourselves from each other, which leads to my theme: Change is only possible if you make it to be. Never be afraid to fight against a big change in your life, or you can even embrace it and create something new out of it. This poem was meant to create self-motivation! It was created to reflect on yourself and what changes you have gone through.

[ Writing Editor: Paul A. Shannon]