Self Respect V/S Loneliness Poem by Jasleen Kaur Khanuja

I see the empty seats around me,

Who would have been sitting here if I pleased them a bit more?

I walk alone through the streets and stand still when I come across my favorite road.

And I suddenly rethink everything that has remained untold.

I can feel my cheeks getting wet and my eyes watery and wonder how can I leave everything so casually?

Then I pick all my dignity and walk past that road as I saw a big board saying all the doors closed.

I sit on the terrace, looking at the beautiful sky up above the world so high.

The stars look prettier than ever, and I wonder how they do not complain the clouds for hiding their beauty sometimes.

And I feel the seat beside me to remind myself it's still empty.

Then I question myself where did I go wrong.

Was it me at the fault or it was written in the destiny as a part of my assault.

Life is short I know but how am I supposed to love when I crushed my heart a long ago.
'We can change the things', my mind says,

My broken heart discards the thought and says it's just a phase.

Time is a great healer but what if clocks have stopped ticking,

What if everyday feels the same?

What if there is no wish to live but there is a need to survive.

I believe the days will pass, I believe I will win all the battles in heart.

I believe someday my mind will thank my heart for keeping me away from more scars.

I believe I will soon walk past those paths and my subconscious will thank me for choosing,

Peace over chaos,

Distance over closeness,

Smile over laughter,

Waiting over rushing,

Thinking over acting

And

Love for myself over hate for my destiny.