Abstract
“A Mental Occupation” is a poem that explores the psychological toll of constant body scrutiny and self-comparison. Through stark imagery and confessional voice, the speaker reveals how mirrors, photographs, and social expectations transform the body into a site of surveillance. The poem examines how internalized criticism can consume attention, confidence, and joy, portraying body image not simply as insecurity but as an exhausting mental conflict between identity, perception, and self-worth.
Bio
Emmah Schuster serves in the U.S. Army as a Blackhawk mechanic while pursuing a degree in Aviation Business Administration. Drawing from her experiences in military aviation, she is interested in flight operations, aviation safety, and the human side of flying. In addition to her aviation work, her writing explores identity, resilience, and the psychological experiences that shape everyday life.
Recommended Citation
Schuster, Emmah
(2026)
"A Mental Occupation,"
Night Flight: Online Literary Journal: Vol. 7
, Article 17.
Available at:
https://commons.erau.edu/night-flight/vol7/iss1/17