WHO ARE YOU?

Who Are You?

By Dhyani Joshi

My mom wishes I was a painter- 

Colorful and creative 

My dad wishes I was a writer- 

Poetic and imaginative 

My grandfather wishes I was a guitarist, 

Playing happy and melancholy tunes 

My grandmother wishes that I always stay the child who was fascinated by the flowers growing in the

backyard of my old house

Loving and nurturing. 

One of my friends wishes I wasn't so secretive 

It'll just eat me up inside, 

Another friend of mine wishes I wasn't so anxious 

She hates it whenever I cry. 

My brother wishes that I wasn't insecure 

Always overthinking and always alone, 

My sister wishes I was aware of how perfect I am 

She wants me to smile, at least every now and then. 

My teacher wishes I was a straight-A student 

Hardworking and smart. 

It hits me that they want the best for me 

So I want to become everything they want me to be 

I pick up the brush and paint the canvas blue 

I dip my fountain pen in the ink, writing and scribbling the pages of my book. 

There's a guitar hanging on the wall of my room 

I pick it up in my hands and play my favorite song "A Line Without a Hook" 

I take a walk in the park, admiring the flowers like a bee 

And pretend I don't see the children hiding behind the tree. 

I try to talk about how I feel 

It doesn't help me at all, nobody can help me heal 

It's something I must do on my own 

Amidst of being everything my loved ones want me to be 

I found a way back home 

A way back home to me 

I found myself in pieces of everyone I love 

So whenever u ask me 

"Who are you really"? 

"I'm a mosaic of everyone I've ever loved" 

That's what my answer will be.