I Love Me

By K Lakshanya

I love me.

I don’t always wear that sunshine smile, my eyes don’t always dazzle like ‘em stars

I shed tears, I clam up, I yell. I bleed from deep bruises and unpleasant scars.

I’m no great fighter – I’ve lost count of the number of everyday battles I’ve fled

I’ve been defeated in more wars than I can count off the top of my head.

I don’t win every game I play, sometimes, I don’t even set foot in the playground

I’m not always music, mellow and sweet – sometimes I’m just noisy, chaotic sound.

I fall, am shattered, and I won’t lie : I don’t always pick myself up again.

Sometimes, I smile and move on; sometimes, I let myself wallow in pain.

Some say I’m a bundle of joy, a warm hug; some say I’m distant and cold as ice

I’m guilty of mirroring my mind sometimes – I don’t always try to be nice.

There are days when I’m fuelled by inner fire; and days when I can barely rise from bed

Days when I scale entire mountains, and days when I struggle to take one step ahead.

I’m not the masterpiece I envisaged on my canvas, in the depths of my heart

I’m just a messy splash of hues – yet, in my own right, I’ve realised I’m a work of art.

Yes, I’m far from the best. But I’m on my way, and someday I’m sure I’ll get there

Until then, I promise to give myself every ounce of love I can spare.

‘Cos I’m more than just me  – I’m a footprint in the trail of those who’ve tread this road before

I’m just one persistent hand among millions, pounding on a seemingly locked door.

I don't know, when the storm arrives, how long I'll remember how to fight

But this I know for sure - I won't let the clouds blind me to my own light.

While I hold on to my dreams of 'one day, I will shine...'

I shall not forget to be grateful for myself and all that is mine.

And one fine day, when the world looks up, it'll see a vibrant rainbow above

And I'll look at my skies and smile - my people, who shower me with love.

By K Lakshanya