Who am I?

From tackling the fluctuating Scorecards 

To bidding for the best Salary Package, 

I’ve let these mere numbers define me throughout my life

But is it all that I am?

Running from Monday to Friday to reach the weekend

To letting the brands decide how I live, what I consume

I’ve let this race against the clock and this evolving lifestyle define me

But is it all that I am?

From hating my own skin because I didn't look pretty enough

To letting formalism decide what and how shall I do everything

I’ve let others’ acknowledgements and approvals define my every move

But is it all that I am?

Am I not that dear child,

Who withered against the system to learn something for real?

Am I not that well-trained aspirant,

Who tried the best to fit in the criteria of corporate slavery? 

Am I not that depressed millennial,

Who fought the unsung battle of compliance and obligations?

Am I not that lost soul,

Who disregarded oneself and spent a lifetime waiting to finally live?

Perhaps, in the anticipation of reaching the destination, 

I mistook the purpose of this whole journey

Perhaps, this life was not about the end at all, but a chance to build one's own path

And in that pursuit to meet the true inner self.

-jyoti_ablaze

Reviews

[An owl on the moon]

And this you do each day, dear Jyoti, I know you do. Yes, you are complex, deep and rich in every way, and you have wandered across steep, winding paths to reach the deeper sense of your being. We are grateful that you share that depth and beauty of you here for us all to behold.

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

Oh Craig! So good to hear from you!
Thank you very much for your kind words.
How are you doing?

[An owl on the moon]

Ah, dear Jyoti, I feel the same! Always thrills me to see new ones from you. I'm doing well. Working on a few books, so excited. How have you been?

[A. Kim Spradling]

Very nicely written poem about life and the roads we travel. I write about these as well.

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

Thank you for the kind words Belle. Will surely read yours and see how our thoughts resonate.

[3X3MPLER]

indeed sometimes we let ourselves be defined by brands, corporation and trends up to a point where we forget who we are. keep up the good work

[3X3MPLER]

indeed sometimes we let ourselves be defined by brands, corporation and trends up to a point where we forget who we are. keep up the good work

[3X3MPLER]

indeed sometimes we let ourselves be defined by brands, corporation and trends up to a point where we forget who we are. keep up the good work

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

Thank you for the kind review.

[Suhd]

Loved reading this poem. So painfully accurate and deep. Thanks for sharing :)

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

Thank you.

[Deepak Belbase]

Well i find this true. all our life we let other deciding what we are? But no body other than you know what you are? It's a well written piece of writing and i think it's belong to everyone living being. Thanks for sharing

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

Thank you!

[Gaurav]

I tried depicting the woes of ordinary, mundane and hypocrite life in 'we are runners' (please check it out). I can totally relate to your words as i am the victim of pretentious social structure built on mere assumption that happiness would follow. Nicely written. Thanks for sharing

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

Thank you Gaurav, for your kind review.
Will definitely check your work out.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

I love your last lines. Very much the conclusion I have derived from life.
A powerful write and certainly thoughtprovoking.

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

Thank you Doc!
Glad you related to it.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

;P you're welcome. A pleasure reading, Jyoti (:

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

So very glad to have your reviews! :)

[.]

A very philosophical musing, Jyoti.

It seems you are reflecting on your life's journey. We do tend to lose sight of the person we are when we throw ourselves into the pursuit of material possession and career advancement. At some point it is natural to take a step back and look at our journey and make changes for the better. And with this piece of writing, you seem to be doing just that. With such an attitude to life you will no doubt find your answers.

I enjoyed your musings. A fine work.

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

Thank you Doodley!
I really enjoyed writing this. Brought a lot of perspective.