MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE...

Maybe in another life, My story would be softer, The tears wouldn’t come so often, And joy wouldn’t feel borrowed. Maybe in another life, I wouldn’t have to fake a smile Just to keep everyone from asking, “What’s wrong?” When everything is. Maybe in another life, My parents wouldn’t have to break their backs, Walking miles, chasing miracles Just to keep food on the table And hope in my hands. Maybe in another life, I’d wake up without the weight, Without the ache of pretending That I’m okay, That I’m strong, That I’m not tired of being tired. Maybe in another life, I wouldn’t feel invisible. I’d be heard without shouting, Loved without earning, Enough without trying. Maybe then… Home would feel like peace, Not pressure. Maybe love wouldn’t hurt, And I wouldn’t keep writing poems Just to feel less alone. But this is this life, And I’m still here, Still fighting, Still dreaming of that other version of me That didn’t have to bleed just to bloom.