Carry your own Light

​A woman once told me, carry your own light
I did not know what it meant, until, life met me
in a quiet corner of an unexpected street.
On those dark, dismal nights when I was alone
with the flickering lights casting strange shadows
the words came back to me- carry your own light.
When the world muffles your voice in its hypocrisy
and taints your kindness with its abysmal lies
and tells you what you should or shouldn’t be
take a hold of your heart - carry your own light.
In moonless nights by the riverside, time goes by
when spirit is crushed and words have no insight
dreams are frozen on the edges of stalactites
let the strength of a woman’s words bring you back to you
don’t let the journey end, don’t stop mid flight
the night maybe long but you carry your own light.

​Woman, you are not alone, this darkness is not your home
You tread on thorns, you bleed on shards of glass
Every day is a death knell written in hell.
On those days when the ocean connives to drown you
with whirlpools of ache floating on every wave and tide
Woman don’t surrender- carry your own light.
There will be times when you slip on ice
There will be moments you resent and despise
There will be people holding you hostage with their lies
take a deep breath- carry your own light.
On sunny days when someone tries to steal your fire
When your world hangs upside down in a precipice of hate
and the beauty of your heart begins to shred and dissipate
let the wisdom of a woman’s word walk you back home to you
don’t let your steps falter, don’t let the love in you lose sight
the horizon of hope may be far but you carry your own light.
​
© Jaspreet Mann, Carry your own Light