the drowning man @adrowningpoet - Tumblr Blog

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#my writing #meet the muses #muse: cyclops

elysianpierce

La vie est belle

elysianpierce

The Courage To Be Caught

THE METROPOLITAN HOUSE Summer Issue • Family Edition Known for transforming skylines through his family's multibillion-dollar firm, Pierce Works, Aiden Pierce has built remarkable spaces. Yet it's within the Manhattan penthouse and Hamptons retreat he shares with his wife, Elysian, where his most meaningful work comes to life. The Pierces welcomed us inside for an intimate look at the spaces where their family thrives. @adrowningpoet

A day off.

I tried to take the kids out for a show, thinking it would be simple, an easy outing to mark my day off. But the moment I stepped out, I realized I had made a critical mistake. Apparently, my attire fell far below their expectations, and they wasted no time letting me know. The boys were ruthless, their commentary sharp and unfiltered. The girls, at least, attempted a softer approach, dressing their critiques with soft tones and gentle laughter. Some of it stuck. One comment in particular lingered. “Old man Scott.” Old man? Really? Pfft. I brushed it off at first, trying to defend myself. I told them I had higher priorities— that appearances were trivial compared to the responsibilities I carried. There were more important matters demanding my focus than coordinating outfits or chasing the latest trends. But none of that mattered. They were deaf to my pleas, choosing to ignore me. To them, I wasn’t ready. Not like this. Not to step out into the world and represent them with embarrassment. Eventually, worn down by their persistence, I relented. A few girls eagerly stepped in, transforming the ordeal into something almost ceremonial. They adjusted, styled, and refined me. Each detail was handled with care and determination. And when they were done, they stepped back and the room erupted. Cheers replaced criticism. Laughter softened into approval. The tension that once filled the space dissolved into something lighter… peaceful… prideful. For the first time that evening, there were no arguments. No jabs. No resistance. Just a group of kids, standing proudly beside me, ready to present the world with a newer version of Scott Summers.

#meet the muses #muse: cyclops #my writing

Never ending fight.

“Take a break, Summers. You earned it.” Funny thing about that, breaks don’t come easy when you’ve been at war your whole life. I find it challenging to shut my mind and alleviate the burden I’ve carried since I was a boy. The truth is… the fight never really leaves you. It settles into you, sharpens your instincts and I can’t help but dream of a fight, not that I’m seeking one, but it always knows where to find me. So I stay ready. Always ready. Even when the world is quiet, my mind isn’t. It’s running plays, calculating angles, preparing for impact. I’ll drift mid-conversation, not because I don’t care, but because somewhere in the back of my head, I’m already bracing for what comes next. That’s what they don’t see. The part that doesn’t shut off. And yeah… sometimes it gets to me because when you’ve spent your entire life fighting, you start to wonder if that’s all you were ever meant to be. The soldier. The leader. The one who steps forward, a weapon. I know I’m not. I have to know better than that. I’m more than the visor. More than the orders. More than the weight of leadership. But knowing it in your head doesn’t make it easier to feel. So tell me— how does someone like me, someone built on responsibility, on leadership, take a break? How do you stand down when standing ready is the only thing that’s ever kept people alive? I guess that’s the part no one trains you for. And maybe… that’s the fight that never really ends.

#my writing #meet the muses #muse: cyclops