I've seen a Harrowed being

 

I've seen a Harrowed being

Existing in shame
Shouting to refrain
From feeling miniscule 
Let it out, announce
With lips curled back 
Was it disgust towards oneself? 
Forever looking on the ground 
Look how you hide .. 
Oh harrowed man 
Questions still lingering in your mind 
How do you live 
With yourself?
Is that what you ask
With that doubtful gaze? 
A plea maybe... words, unsaid
Never uttered because of dread 
Forever putting your life on hold
For the rest ...
Or are you selfish enough to lie to my face?
With such conviction
Without any trace
Taking all you need 
Oh how does it not bother you? 
Who is a harrowed being now
Is it I? Is it you? I cannot say... 
To live with yourself 
An obedient fool 
Bound by morals and principles already laid for you
Or in the name of love 
Will you - astray?
Letting all these people pass through you

So, What does a castle do 
When danger marches towards its gates?
It holds its doors, and waits
Quick to take the summer bait
Never thinking twice
With tired limbs 
Slacking by your side
Or taut shoulders 
Forgotten when last you cried?
Oh harrowed man
Wish someone could tell you so
There is nothing wrong with being happy 
When you will sit so still
When, a thousand times over, you'd kill. 
So tell me who this harrowed man might be
Is it you?
Is it me?
For I've met a harrowed being,
One or two, maybe a few
She'll stand right infront of you, Unabashed. 
She won't shy away from who she is 
And she will look you right in your eyes, 

Past all her tears with concern lingering on her face, 
A look of defeat yet filled 
With some trace 
Of balled up strength, ready to brace
With still some fight left in her,
Accepting what she has done,
How she feels, telling you,
"It is what it is and I'm still here standing in front of you
After everything we've been through, 

Because, care enough, I do."
We're all ordinary people 
Why do your eyes look for dimes?
Can you just look closer once?
Amiss not 
Looking at you with pleading eyes..
Harrowed being, take me to the bottom again 
I've heard your silent screams
Discarded in some forsaken drain 
And I think I knew what you were looking for
Imposed with all the stripped choices 
All the lost voices
Like scattered dreams
Loathing noises in your head
Looking for a road to find you.
For I've met a harrowed being, one or two, maybe a few
It is me
It is you

27th July - August 2024, a trip to the Nilgiris (Anjanagiri)