Do you see me as I am?: A poem 

I didn’t fancy the gems on my fingers 

But I picked up the ramparts of my fortress 

that were fallen all around like shattered stone 

And even then, I didn’t feel alone 

Because I didn’t make metaphors of my pain 

when it all had to be rebuilt again 

For pain and torture didn’t liquidate my soul 

Not even the liquid of tears did I dole 

I am just carved to be a strongman 

with feeble strength; like a convalescent 

who is not stupored by his illness 

but makes sheer will his fortitude against all odds 

So many athletes run the marathon 

But I was the Olympian, who ran every moment 

without wanting the pedestal or the podium 

And I never grew old! You can think how tired 

and worn out I must be; from my eternal narration! 

But do you thank me for going it alone 

without pausing for breath, without relenting 

when the entire sky seemed like a rain 

wanting to tear me down? 

I am the selflessness of ever soulfulness 

that didn’t stop to think about all your  

non-existent reciprocation, not even gratitude!