Am I Social

Inspirational / Motivational Poetry Human Written by @nashawntee6 · May 13, 2026

Am I a social butterfly?
Instead I feel like I’m about to cry.
Am I a social butterfly?
Oh, hell no, I feel like I’m about to die.

The anxiety hits,
The panic sets in,
Dear Lord, where is the exit sign?
I hope it is near.

The people laughing, chattering, and running a muck,
Oh holy hell, I just got stuck.
“Oh, hi, hello!” as my voice begins to quiver,
“You from around here?” Asks the burly guy, who is tall as timber.

My fight or flight has truly kicked in,
There’s no way in hell, I am gonna win.

This fight today, against my fears is a loss,
I turn to look at Mr. Timber, but he looks lost.
Lost in my silence, I’ve still said nothing yet,
Oh, holy hell, my words are a babbling mess.

“Um, yes. Wait no. What was the question again, please?”
Oh, that thing is happening, I feel so weak at the knees.
Mr. Timber starts to chuckle, as I’m wobbling to and fro,
Oh, here comes the puke fest,
“Thanks Mr. Timber, I gotta go!”

I moved through the room as fast as I could,
And here comes another chatty person,
I wish they would,
Step out of my way, oh please, oh please, oh good.
I no longer have to converse with anyone,
I’m free, I’m good.

Well, this debacle was a pure mess.
I guess antisocial it is, I don’t have to guess.
Maybe tomorrow, or another day soon,
I’ll try socializing with people, just not before noon.

About This Poem

people struggling with anxiety, people struggling to be social and navigate social settings, battling anxiety, hopeful to one day be social without anxious interactions.

How did this poem make you feel?

Community Score

4.0

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Poem Analysis

This analysis is provided as optional literary feedback. Community voting remains the primary ranking method.

Analysis Available

The poem captures the internal struggle of social anxiety with a candid and relatable voice. It uses humor and vivid imagery to convey the speaker's discomfort in social settings, creating an engaging narrative that resonates with readers familiar with such experiences.

Strengths

The poem effectively uses humor to address the serious topic of social anxiety, as seen in lines like 'Oh, here comes the puke fest, “Thanks Mr. Timber, I gotta go!”'.
The imagery is vivid and relatable, particularly in the description of the social setting and the speaker's reaction, such as 'The people laughing, chattering, and running a muck'.
The poem's conversational tone and use of direct address create an engaging and accessible narrative voice.

Areas for Improvement

The rhyme scheme is inconsistent, which can disrupt the flow, as seen in the shift from rhyming couplets to more freeform lines.
The poem occasionally relies on clichés, such as 'fight or flight', which can detract from its originality.

Imagery

The poem employs strong visual language to depict the chaotic social environment and the speaker's internal turmoil. The metaphor of 'Mr. Timber' as a tall, imposing figure adds a humorous yet vivid element. Sensory details like feeling 'weak at the knees' and the anticipation of a 'puke fest' effectively convey the physical symptoms of anxiety.

Structure

The poem primarily uses a loose rhyme scheme, with some couplets and irregular rhymes that reflect the speaker's disordered thoughts. The line breaks and stanza organization mimic the speaker's escalating panic, with shorter lines and abrupt transitions enhancing the sense of urgency.

Language & Craft

The diction is colloquial and conversational, with phrases like 'Oh, hell no' and 'Oh holy hell' adding to the informal tone. The repetition of 'Am I a social butterfly?' at the beginning establishes a rhetorical question that frames the speaker's internal conflict. Alliteration in 'puke fest' and 'babbling mess' adds a playful musicality.

Emotional Impact

The poem's emotional impact lies in its relatability and humor. It captures the essence of social anxiety with authenticity, allowing readers to empathize with the speaker's plight. The blend of humor and vulnerability creates a poignant yet light-hearted emotional experience.