Poetry: An Ode to Lactose: A Saccharine Synergy
by Erin Yoo
An Ode to Lactose: A Saccharine Synergy
by Erin Yoo
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I am the lock to your key
Rendering dairy's ingestion carefree
I expedite my confreres' pace
Against those whom they did race
I am Lactase
The catalyst in the digestion phase
Leading the reaction's endeavor,
Before Necessity's gossamer threads sever
Yet still, I stand — a quiet reminder,
That even the smallest actions bring ease,
A spark of change, in moments dire,
A brief note about work
This poem represents the complexities of societal beauty norms and the transformative influence of tools like filters and Photoshop on self-perception. It expresses the weight of societal expectations, focusing on physical attributes such as bone structure, eyelids, and the relentless passage of time portrayed through a metaphorical hourglass. The poem serves as a personal exploration of the struggle against conformity, delving into the internal conflict of self-acceptance and questioning the authenticity of beauty standards. It aims to provoke contemplation on the consequences of adhering to societal norms and advocates for embracing one's unique identity amid external pressures, challenging the superficiality of contemporary beauty ideals influenced by technology.
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About the author
Erin is the Editor in Chief & Founder of THE COTERIE. Erin's work has been recognized by several prestigious awards, including the Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards, the National High School Poetry Contest Topical Winner, the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition, the Illustrated Poem Contest in the Southwest Georgia Section of the American Chemistry Society (ACS), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay & Poetry Program, and the Essays on Technology Event organized by the Technology Student Association (TSA) State Conference. Her recent poems have been published in Teen Ink Magazine. I serve as a Junior Board Member and Senior Editor at the Polyphony Lit Magazine, as Chief Print Edition Officer, and on the Writing/Editing Team in The Scientific Teen Magazine.