Echoes of The Self

By Aishna Shobhawat

I’m shattered, worn down, lost in the haze,

I forgot how to find myself in the maze.

Marks left on me—scratches, burns, and tears,

And I forgot how to heal through the years.

I gave so much love, so much laughter, too,

That I forgot the soul I’m meant to renew.

A soul that aches, that whispers and weeps,

Reminding me I’m not who I used to be.

The secrets I’ve kept, the grief that’s grown,

Yes, all this happened, and all I’ve known,

Was just me alone, with my thoughts to keep.

Yes, I wanted to shout, wanted to fight,

Wanted to feel, wanted to make it right.

But all I could do was murmur and sigh,

"You can be whole, but only in your dreams"

By Aishna Shobhawat