Fragments

April 19th, 2025

Most days, I feel as if I’m grasping at straws,

like a cat gripping the edge of a well with all her claws.

But, unlike her, if I manage to get out–

I can’t trek this Earth without fear and doubt.

It feels as if someone swirled a ladle inside my brain.

The memories–cracked and fragmented–yet the pain remains the same.

The resourceful rescuer that lives in my head–

–has tried its hardest to put the tormenting thoughts to rest.

But the benevolent body–it never forgets.

It may silence the screams, but it stores them as stress.

Version 1.0.0

Then, one day, when nothing seems to have gone awry at all–

–as the trees shed what is dead, and autumn leaves begin to fall.

A piercing cry echoes through the crisp air.

The horror in her howling is almost too much to bear.

“Someone needs my help!”; so I search frantically around to see–

–only to find that the bleeding bellow escaped from none other than me.

Softness

By: Maham Abid Written: 04/21/2025

Perhaps, it’s finally time to let my guards down.

When you’re hurting alone, it doesn’t matter if you have a crown. 

How can I easily fool myself this well?

I can easily camouflage as “sunshine” to those going through hell.

It’s all a facade, and I know you can see right through.

It’s me who has been unwilling to look at the pain that’s clearly true.

The type of strife that you will get to hear, 

might bring even the “strongest ones” of you to tears. 

Some may think this isn’t an appropriate story to share.

But selfishly, sharing with you all makes me feel a little less scared.

The parts of my story that seem too daunting to bear–

Suddenly don’t appear clouded with fear, all because I dared to share.

Maybe doing it “alone” is not the way to go…

It’s equal parts petrifying to let the real “me” finally show.

Rejection, and judgement are not at all what I need right now.

I need a place to process this grief, to feel, and let it all out.

But, being judged, ostracized, and the things I fear most—

—are ironically the ones I’ve experienced the most up-close.

It’s irrelevant because I already feel unworthy of belonging and love,

but maybe human connection is my “prayer answered” from above.

What if, little by little, I begin to let others in?

Perhaps, I won’t feel like such an unforgivable sin.

So when I begin to ponder about my roller-coaster of a life,

My assuming the role of the “black sheep” doesn’t come as a surprise.

Sure, there are benefits to being “big, bad, and bold..”

Yet, softness can warm up crumpled crevices

that fickle fear won’t ever have the privilege to hold.

Love you all ways, always ❤

IG: @mahamabidtalent