SHADOW'S REPRIEVE/"Archetype of the Unlived"

 The pause button of indefinite delay

Image: Created by Marilyn Glover with Canva Design

This morning, my latest poetry podcast episode aired on Substack as I continue to promote my debut Jungian-themed chapbook, Shadow's Reprieve. We are in the seventh week, which aligns with poem seven 

of my 15- poem book inspired by Carl Jung's depth psychology. What happens when I finish reading the poems? I will likely continue reading from my full-length book slated for release at the end of the year.

Poem-specific history

This week's poem, Archetype of the Unlived, was originally published on Vocal Media, where it was chosen as a top story in March 2026. While I've dreamt of publishing a poetry book for some time, little did I realize back then just how much personal impact this poem would have on me.

Written during an especially trying time, the lyrics that came to me seemingly out of nowhere remained with me, weighing heavily on my mind. On my second go at writing a Jungian-themed poem, I began to discover how much his work—specifically Man and His Symbols —inspired me.

Continuing personal shadow work, meditation, and poetry, all created as a form of self-help, have led me to where I am today: an indie author and poet, writing to help others navigate this thing called life. Sometimes happy. Sometimes sad. Sometimes downright painful. I write it all and share because I was once the girl who remained hidden. Thinking I was all alone. Thinking I was misunderstood. Thinking no one would care.

Years later, in middle age, my perspective has shifted, and I bring my voice to life through poetry.

Writing to uplift humanity, my writer's catchphrase, is one I hope to carry with me no matter where this self-publishing takes me.

Poem excerpt & meaning

This excerpt speaks directly to a personal occurrence:

Temporary becomes habitual

Chronic, deliberate

Put off today until tomorrow

Tomorrow to the next

Next to sometime, someday

Imprisoned

By a shadow

I tell myself

Because lies are easier

Than ending this ritual

I wrote this when I was healing from knee surgery. A workplace accident took me out of work in February 2025. I waited nearly 9 months before my procedure, suffering in immense daily pain. At the time of writing  Archetype of the Unlived, I was five months post-surgery. I knew that my former career was over. I knew that I needed to implement major life changes. I was also deeply depressed.

I was stuck in the place between knowing I had to do things differently and the usual routine I had become accustomed to, which was sitting at home unemployed. Although, due to no fault of my own, the circumstances became my predictable rituals, ones that were hard to break as the physical healing finally began revealing better days.

Listen for free

I invite you to listen to episode 7 for free on my Substack.

My podcast is always FREE, and new episodes upload every Wednesday.

Moving forward, regular readers will discover that the more intimate details of the meaning behind my poems will live here on my personal blog.

I will also be experimenting with various blog cover designs, Substack podcast covers, and Pinterest pins as I put my intuitive creative skills to the test to determine what will become the cover design for my full-length poetry book.

Much appreciation and many thanks to all who stop by.

I'd like to start seeing comments here. I am open to viewpoints, suggestions, and honest insights. How have you hit the pause button of indefinite delay in your own life journey? Let's discuss!