New
By DT
I’m tired of the old where is the new
New year, New month, Same ol you
Nothing feels like new shoes
New love or a new car
Except new blues or a release date not too far
I’m tryin new ways for the same ol thing
It’s a new day, but the pain has the same ol sting
So I ask, is anything new under the sun?
Or do your present become your future
But was it new when it began?
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The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.
I like this poem, DT. You did a great job capturing how sometimes despite the day or other things being new, the same feelings follow us. The questions you end the poem with really makes us all think too, were some things always there with us. Keep writing, your words could challenge us in how we see the future.
I really enjoyed the use of rhyming in your poem it made it easier to read and created a flowy feeling that really helps understand the atmosphere and feeling of the poem. The poem is both easy to understand and has an even deeper meaning than what first meets the eye which is always something that you can learn from. I think the sentences can be understood in a lot of different ways and in different perspectives which is something that I think a lot of people look for in poems. Keep it up this is great and I think a lot of people can find ways to relate to it to a certain extent. Thank you!
This poem made me think and look back at my life. The question at the end is what got me. Looking back at yourself in the past then looking into the future to see where you started and are now a tough thing to do. Amazing job!
This poem is very creative and makes the reader think. In with the new, out with the old is a saying this poem reminds me of. As humans, we love new things and the value they hold. We like stuff and new things make us happy and excited. Sometimes the same ol thing is good, but other times it’s repetitive and boring. At some point, everyone wants a change even introverts. I think the present becomes the past and the future is now. Things that seem new to others might be old such as the sun. In the beginning, everything was new, but it if all comes from the same place is it really new? You got this and remember the best is yet to come!
I really liked this poem because it made me think about my own future. Very thought-provoking! I also enjoyed the rhyming as it helps the poem flow better.
This poem has a nice rhythm and flow to it. I also like that it gets straight to the point and makes you question aspects of the world.
This was a shorter poem, but the words spoke volumes and were impactful. I can feel the urge of wanting something to change and be different and have a different future or outcome. Everything has stayed the same, the same sad days on repeat. All the days are new but nothing seems to change. I can almost feel your pain while reading this, as it seems your sad days are not changing, and you are not gaining anything new. Although we can gain deeper meaning within this short poem, and everyone can interpret it differently, I hope you gain something new in the future.
Very creative. I can relate to this. I too at times am longing for a change. Change in my career, finances, family and for my challenges to change. Sometimes it can be pretty overwhelming to be waiting and get out of old routines and have a change of scenery.
I like this poem! I believe this is how a lot of people see their life. Many people experience times where life is hard or it seems like nothing good is coming. You have to keep going and get through the hard times because there will be good in the future. I really liked your poem and its meaning. Don’t give up!
DT new is something that is a weird concept for us humans, we get used to stuff very easily. Something we learned a second ago that is new to us we will get bored of it 30 minutes later. Your poem really is the best way to describe how people really feel about stuff. Like I said we get bored easily, and once we get the new things we toss them away.
Hello DT, I want to thank you for sharing this poem, and say how great it is. It really gets me emotional reading this because I too have felt this feeling before, or something like it, so I feel I can somehow relate. I wake up sometimes feeling the upmost boredom, and dull feeling I just can’t seem to shake off. Over the years I’ve seen myself go through any different stages of life, and now I’m basically grown up, but I still feel the pain, and guilt of the trauma I experienced years ago. No matter what life changes I go through, or new things I try, or situations I find myself in I feel like deep down inside I still feel the same. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or and thing, or a thing that will change over with time. But I hope we both figure it out for the sake of our conscious. I felt venerable reading your poem like I forced to come to realization about something within myself. I thank you or that. Once again thank you or sharing this poem.
I wish you the best! -aaliyah.
Love this poem DT! Short yet sweet. yet your words and questions are so powerful. I think maybe you could cut your first line in half. where is the new could be a complete line if you wanted it to be. Keep on writing.
I really enjoyed reading this poem. You did a great job capturing hold long things really stay the same. I liked the line “It’s a new day, but the pain has the same ol sting.” This line paints a picture in the reader’s mind. I also enjoyed how the last three lines of this poem were questions. Questions are really strong in writing and keep readers on the edge of their seats. Really nice job on this poem!
Hi DT,
I really like this poem. I think it makes the reader think, not only about life in general but about their own life. I love the message that you put into your poem about feeling stagnant in life despite making changes, and I think that’s something that a lot of people can relate to. I also really enjoyed the way that you were able to make the poem rhyme and flow so well, while conveying such a powerful message. Thank you for sharing!
Ainsley
I love how your poem had a little rhyme to it! I found the meaning of your poem so inspirational, and it really put the phrase “Time is a social construct” in mind. Maybe nothing is new when you think about it. Thank you for sharing your poem with us!
Change is such an inspiring yet anxiety producing thing. It’s amazing that you want to change and it understandable that you don’t know where to start. Wanting to change is only the start and it’s a struggle not to fall into old habits. Questing common phrases or norms uses that to drive your poem has the readers question and gives a glimpse of your views.
I enjoyed this poem, and it got me to think. I am personally living a repetitive way of life. I wake up on Monday morning to live out the same weekly schedule/routine. As a human, that frustrates me. What I can I do for a change in pace or something new? To me, it’s honestly motivating that someone else feels this way because, among my peers, I feel as if it’s only me. Yes, I know that is not true, although your poem made me think and strive for something new. I also loved your formatting. The rhythmical aspect of the poem caused it to come alive, and once read over a couple of times, it was rather flowy. I love this poem! Thank you!
Hey Dt, I know exactly what you are going through especially during this of the year. Seasonal depression can really can be affecting anyone. Soon you will get out of a rut and things will feel like new again I promise!
Hello DT, your poem is beautiful! The wording makes it sounds like a song, I love the word choice and rhythming pattern you did. The language you used here was also so clever. When you said “new day but the pain has the same old sting” was so genius, and it’s also so true. this poem felt relatable in some ways. I’ve had days where I feel just stuck. with being in college I feel like I’m at a moment in life where I must push through it to see the side with greener grass. School and work are hard to balance out, and you just feel overwhelmed for months on end so I’m eager to say I can’t wait for the day where my future brings me my present and I can hopefully start a new chapter in my life with new feelings and experiences to discover. Thank you so much for sharing this poem!
I wish you the best! – Aaliyah.
This poem flows really well with the questions you put in there, the similes, and the imagery. Just remember, if you keep doing good, then you will see new results. Consistency is key and it leads to the new. Keep up the great writing, and stay positive, the best has yet to come!
DT,
Thank you for your introspection. I can see you are looking inwards and seeking what is new. It can be hard when we feel stuck and life is stagnant. It can feel like there is no point, but there is! I hope you continue to make the new DT better in every way accompanied by grace when you stumble.
Hey DT, this poem was wonderful and I am so glad I got to read it! It really made me look back and think on my life. I love how simple, yet deep and powerful your words are. Thank you for sharing this!
Hey DT I hope you are doing well! Why I really picked your poem was because it really spoke to me on the idea of something new. We as people get more excited when something Is new, but I think its more leading up to it. Like if you are working on Saturday and don’t have to work on a Sunday, you can be happy that you don’t have to work Sunday. But were excited before it and leading up to it, like if you have to work on Monday all day Sunday you are going to be thinking about working on Monday. I hope you keep writing.
Hi DT,
This was a really creative poem and take on what new things feel like. I personally like new things because I like changing things and starting over. Plus, I may or may not have a shopping addiction, so that doesn’t help. I do feel when I’m having a bad day it will never end and I just want to start a new. The question at the end is kind of confusing to me. I’m not sure what you mean by that but that just means it is very deep and meaningful especially for you. Really great job!
DT,
Your poem got me interested in thinking of the feeling of “new”. I understand what you mean in your poem how even though “new” things appear often like the months and the years. I believe things such as entering a new year, isn’t really a new experience either since the year changes on the same date every year. I can certainly understand how that doesn’t feel new, since it is technically the same thing on repeat. I suppose the answer to making these “new” things really feel like a new experience is within us, such as new hobbies, new perspectives, and maybe trying something we normally wouldn’t. It isn’t always easy to know how to find the first experience excitement after living and going through so many things, like the excitement of a new car or pair of shoes like you mentioned. That is why it is important for us to try new experiences no matter how big or small they are, whether it’s a new food or hobby.
A good poem that challenges us to strive for change.
“I’m tired of the old where is the new” I can relate to this line in your poem as I at times do feel like each day is just another day. I feel stuck in a loop or routine. We should all aim to make changes to our routines.
Hi DT,
I enjoyed reading your poem a lot. I love how you explain the longing you feel for change without directly saying it. I loved that you touched a lot on the idea that the same feelings follow us sometimes, no matter what we do to change them. I like the idea of a feeling being “new” and how that is the way to feel fulfilled with a change. My favorite line was “Its a new day/ but the pain has the same ol sting”. This was a great line that captured the repetition you’re talking about. I loved reading your poem because it was so strong and full of awesome imagery. Thank you for sharing!
-CB
Hi DT,
I really loved reading your poem! It did a great job of making me think and was very relatable. It definitely feels like our days are on repeat at times and no new changes seem to be happening. You also did a great job of evoking emotion in the reader. I love how you didn’t have to outright say how you were feeling for the readers to understand and feel the same way. In addition, you did a great job of making your poem flow and be easy to read. Lastly, I think it was great that you ended your poem with a question which left the readers thinking even more about the subject.
In this poem you say a lot in such little words. I feel like in life there are control factors and then there’s change factors. The control factors are the things that always stay the same like maybe your living situation or income, but then I think there’s things that change a lot like friends, occupations, ones self worth, etc. I feel like in the short run you stay the same, but if you look back 5 years ago you wouldn’t recognize the person in front of you. I love the line” It’s a new day, but the pain has the same ol sting” I think this line is really powerful and speaks a lot of volumes because it shows everyone’s in pain. Amazing poem thank you for sharing.
The existential concept of anything ever being new is something that I struggle with too. Is anything really new? Was I the “first” to do something? I liked your mention of “under the sun” because I think that is such an interesting way of tying us all together under this question of newness. While I cannot tell you what is new or old, I can say that this was a beautifully crafted dare I say new way of interpreting your question.
This an intriguing poem that I feel speaks on behalf of being bored and unsurprised by life’s events. We should see life as a blessing o be alive and enjoy every moment. But because we are stuck and stubborn to realize the beauty, we see dark and bland skies with nothing new ever surprising us. It’s best to enjoy the little things in life and see even the simplest of things as outstanding.
Thank you for sharing your poem! It was extremely descriptive and creative. Change is such a relatable feeling and it seems to be a constant in my life as well. It is hard for us to adapt to change, but it can start through small things such as hobbies. The poem was very inspirational!
This poem was fascinating. It shows how even though we try new things, we still have the same old thoughts. It shows that even though we try to change ourselves, at the end of the day, we are who we are and nothing can change that.
I love how it’s simple yet sparks much thought about the poem. It highlights how many of us are going about each day with the same mindset and approach, therefore questioning our life.
I liked the ideas that you posed in your poem. You did a good job capturing how I feel sometimes. Feeling stuck like you’re not moving forward in life. Makes me feel more understood and normalized.
Letter:
Dear DT,
I absolutely loved this poem, top to bottom. You brought into context how momentous being in prison is: same colors, same routines, everything’s just the same and you highlighted that in such an effective way. The use of repetition, repetition in not only the word “new,” but repetition of “new” things in general conveys the theme of the poem flawlessly. The use of rhyme makes “new” flow magnificently and makes me envision what seeing the same colors and living out the same routines would be like. “New” sheds light on what the lives of an incarcerated individual is like, how life is, and what they think. I’ve never heard of an incarcerated individual sharing such misery, but not DT, not you. It’s powerful what you’ve done.
In addition, your poem got me to think, think about my privilege. You are obviously, and undoubtedly going through something horrible. After hearing your words, it motivated me to achieve some “newness” of my own, since being a free person I have the privilege to seek out “newness” whenever I want. So why waste that privilege when there are people who are incarcerated, sometimes unjustly, seeking “newness” in things that aren’t new, merely the things you can look forward to.
As my English professor always says, “writers do things to readers.” You have done that to me, DT. Your poem is motivational. You have allowed me to recognize my privilege and aspire to seek something new.
Wonderful poem. I loved it! Thank you!
– Adam
You have a fantastic poem. The ending was amazing and did a great job tying back to the rest of the poem. I think the question you ended with is a real head scratcher, kind of like “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” This really makes me think and I absolutely love it! Please continue writing. Your work is amazing!
i think this poem does a great job in capturing how everyday life can feel boring and repetitive after a while. As someone who gets bored very easily, I need to do something exciting every day to be able to really enjoy myself. There is nothing worse than feeling like you are stuck in a loop, repeating each day. I have found through this however, that you come to appreciate the little things and find excitement in everyday activities, such as drinking your morning coffee or having a meal with a friend. Great poem that I think many can relate to!
This poem really allows people to understand the feeling of boredom and getting used to something being repeated. It can be tough to go through the same things every single time and this poem does a great job of showing this.
I really like the meaning behind this poem. Sometimes, every day can begin to feel just like the previous one. Even when things begin to slightly change, days can feel tedious. I also get bored very easily, so I can heavily relate to this. Even thinking about someone who works a 9-5 desk job, it bores me. I need something new every day.
I really liked this poem as it made me consider my own future in a way and honestly gave me a new outlook on life and deciding how I want to live mine. Keep up the writing and I can’t wait to read more from you!
Hi DT,
Super great poem. I especially enjoyed the repetition of the word “new”. New beginnings are something everyone can look forward to. I liked the line “I’m tryin new ways for the same ol thing”. I like the idea that trying old things in a new way can possibly change and better you. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your poem! Your poem explores the idea of the new and the old, and the challenge of finding true novelty and change in our lives. The final lines of the poem, “So I ask, is anything new under the sun? / Or do your present become your future / But was it new when it began?” are thought-provoking and philosophical. It suggests that perhaps the very concept of the new is illusory, and that everything we experience is simply a continuation of what came before.
Overall, your poem is a thoughtful and reflective exploration of the human desire for change and novelty. Keep writing and exploring your ideas! Your poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture complex emotions and ideas in a few simple words.
I think this poem captures the feeling of being stuck in a rut, where everything seems to be the same and nothing feels truly new or exciting. The repetition of “new” emphasizes the desire for change, but also highlights the disappointment when that change doesn’t come or doesn’t bring the desired outcome. The line “It’s a new day, but the pain has the same ol sting” is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even though time may pass, some things remain unchanged. The final question, “But was it new when it began?” is thought-provoking and invites reflection on whether our experiences are truly new or simply variations of what has come before.
I really like the message of this poem. Yes, life really does get so repetitive. We see similar things year to year, but if we do our best to live in the present, we can realize that it doesn’t matter if something feels repetitive as long we look upon it with new eyes and the right attitude.