"Hold back," they said—
But what should I hold in?
The pain that drowns me,
or the guilt that withers my soul?

"Wait," they said—
But until when?
Until my heart freezes to death,
or my breath fades into silence?

What should I do with these scars,
deepened by all the what-ifs of the past?
How can I give words to this grief,
when I choke on the same?"

And all the smiles plastered on my face,
one day will fail to defend my tears,
hiding beneath the facade,
that the world made me build.

The 'Me' I lost
wanders in despair,
in this maze of lies,
like a child lost in the mob.

The love like a sea we had ,
it's waves crashing on my lonely shore,
erasing all my pain.

I tried to hold you beside me,
Like a fool trying to steal the waves.

Each time you left
I waited between your absence,
as leaves changed colours and born again, slowly drowning in your hues.

And it traced my steps,
one step behind,
dancing with my curves.
It stood  same among the thorns and flowers, never leaving.
Brave and strong against all odds,
yet it hid when it was dark.
I hated it once but now I keep the light burning,
so that it never fades into the dark again.