Why should I live?
We face this question at some point in our lives
As kids, we have ambitions to chase
It drives the life forward
After studies
There are career ambitions that drive
The life to its limits, burning all mental energy
In between, there's a phase of love
That is a mirage that overdrives the wish to live
Save money to marry the girl you love
It remains a dream for some
Lucky ones marry their sweethearts
Starts living for their kids and grandkids
Some have bucket lists to live for
Do many things they cherish
Before they leave this world
There are unlucky people who have
Only a few days or years to live
They live life worthily and inspire others
They leave memories as a reason for others to live
Some people find making money a reason to live
To enjoy all the luxuries this world offers
Some others find fulfilling responsibilities important
The pain of unrelenting failures, heartbreak, illnesses, debts,
and depression offers reasons for some people to quit life
While struggling to meet the societal pressures
Friends leaving you behind with their success
Loneliness, even when surrounded by people
Without being able to share the fears and thoughts
Even with all counseling and therapy
Suicide may seem an escape route from miseries
It takes a lot of courage to quit life
Those who quit life are not cowards
I asked myself million times
Why should I live in a world without my dad?
My heart told me then to live for my mother and brother
From the brink of giving up on life
I kept finding reasons to live
After every setback, ever since
In search of new destinies!
This poem is an adaptation of prose, with the same title, I wrote a decade ago. The images are taken by Aziz Acharki and Danica Tanjutco. Thank you :)