Lost Between Life and Death

Nicholas Khundrakpam *

Shadows whisper, the night feels cold,
A heart once fearless, now beaten and old.
She left like the wind, without a trace,
Love turned to dust, an empty space.

Eyes wide open, but drowning deep,
Haunted by dreams, yet scared to sleep.
Anxiety grips like a ruthless chain,
Echoes of laughter now dripping pain.

Family waits, but I can’t explain,
The weight I bear, the silent rain.
Future's a ghost, a road unclear,
Hope is a whisper I barely hear.

Between life and death, I stand alone,
A fading voice, a hollowed tone.
Yet somewhere, somehow, light must break -
Or is my soul just a past mistake?

Poet's Note : The poem poignantly explores the profound psychological distress of a man engulfed in depression, anxiety, and existential despair following a heart-wrenching betrayal by his beloved. His once-resilient heart now lies fragmented, burdened by the weight of lost love and unfulfilled promises. Haunted by relentless insomnia and tormented memories, he grapples with the suffocating pressure of familial expectations while navigating an uncertain future. Suspended in the liminal space between life and oblivion, he contemplates the fragility of existence, questioning whether a glimmer of hope remains or if he is merely a fading remnant of past afflictions. The poem encapsulates the depth of human suffering, evoking a melancholic yet reflective meditation on pain, loss, and the elusive nature of redemption.