Canvas of Emotions: Painted in Poetry

Living for Others While Losing Myself

I wake each day, but not for me,

I rise for all the eyes that see—

The ones who'd question, wonder why,

If I were gone, if I let go,

if I didn't try.

I wear a mask of quiet grace,

But deep inside, I've lost my place.

I'm living for the weight I bear,

For all the promises I've sworn,

though none of them are fair.

I'm stitched together by their needs,

My heart is bound by others' creeds.

I carry guilt like heavy chains,

Afraid to fail, afraid to fall,

I stay and bear the strains.

I don't know when I lost the fight,

When living for myself took flight.

Now every breath, each step I take,

Is not for joy or dreams I chase,

but for the smiles I fake.

They tell me that I'm strong, I'm brave,

But all I am is their soft wave.

I bend, I break, I sacrifice,

For everyone except for me,

it's come at such a price.

Yet somewhere deep, I know it's wrong—

To live for them, to play along.

But still, I can't shake off the weight,

I fear the day I let them down,

I fear it's far too late.

So here I stand, not for my heart,

But for the world that pulls apart.

Alive for them, I wear this frown,

I'm here not for myself, it seems,

but so I won't let them down.