Meet You, Where You Left Yourself 

You’re still here,

longing, prolonging,

and that is enough.

 

Because you…

were always the one

waiting for you.

 

Thank you.

The most awaited thank you—

for always being there,

for doing everything for me,

for taking care—

of this body and mind,

in every way you could.

 

I know sometimes,

it must have been hard for you,

but thank you

for holding on.

 

I remember the days,

when it felt heavy

just to get out of bed—

when your eyes were open,

but your body was still asleep.

Still, you gathered the courage

to wake up

and do what was—

the need of the hour.

 

Thank you for educating yourself,

even when books felt like walls.

 

I know some days were harsh,

but thank you

for not giving up on me.

 

I know there were days

you just felt worthless,

you could not even find a place

to hide—

except your knees.

 

Hey, listen—

you are not worthless.

You are so worth more

than you could ever know.

 

And I am glad

you are on the journey

of discovering that.

 

I understand

that intense urge—

to disappear,

to escape the world entirely.

But thank you

for surviving,

for making it this far.

 

I know,

I have treated you roughly

for most of your life—

abused you,

harmed you,

hurt you—

 

Not just through words,

but through actions

and imagined stories.

 

Today,

I apologize

for every cruel thought,

every harsh word,

every moment

I made you feel

guilty or small.

 

I am sorry

for all the scars.

 

I am sorry

for all the pain

I caused you.

 

Thank you

for forgiving me.

Thank you

for not leaving me.

Thank you

for accepting me.

Thank you

for always loving me.

 

Thank you

for holding my beating heart

in your warm arms.

 

Thank you

for dressing me,

cleaning me,

feeding me,

guiding me,

treating me,

holding my hand

when the world

seemed so far.

 

Thank you

for calming my eyes

and my cheeks

with your soft palms.

 

Thank you

for wiping

my tears

rolling down.

 

Thank you

for staying with me

when I was lonely.

 

Thank you

for earning for me,

working for me,

even when

I did not cooperate.

 

Thank you

for facing the world

when it was bizarre.

 

Thank you

for smiling,

just to help us survive.

 

Thank you

for forgiving everyone,

so we could make peace.

 

And most of all—

thank you

for finally

respecting me.

Thank you,

—“YOU”.

 

Title: You
Award: 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award
Instagram : ayushiagarwal75
Book: Available Here