Shattered Kindness in Love

By Rishav Mantri

In the quiet shadows of the night,

I wandered through the woods in flight,

Searching for the soul I’ve lost,

A heart now shattered, love the cost.

For someone who was never right,

Yet I broke for them, without a fight.

I asked my soul, “Was I a fool?”

A voice replied, soft but cruel,

“You broke yourself to be so kind,

Yet left your own heart far behind.”

Why is it wrong to care so much?

Why does goodness hurt with every touch?

I thought the fault was never mine,

But still, it’s me who weeps in time.

I held on tight to hope and grace,

Yet sorrow etched upon my face.

Now I wonder where joy has gone,

When was happiness ever mine?

And in that moment, truth revealed—

I let myself be broken, healed.

No longer will I bend, nor break,

No more sorrow for kindness' sake.

I’ll guard my heart, I’ll stand my ground,

And in myself, my strength is found.

The fault was mine, I realize,

But now, I’ll never compromise.

By Rishav Mantri