Before They Sleep Forever

By Sahil Pathan

When I opened my eyes,

Everybody around me gave lots of smiles.

I learned to walk, to write, to speak,

My desires started to emerge at their peak.

I danced with dreams in marble halls,

But never heard my mother’s calls.

A prisoner of clocks, blind to the cost,

Counting the wins, forgetting the lost.

In the furnace of my days, I forged a name,

Yet forgot my soul’s true frame.

I wanted to achieve all the blue,

Ignorant me—forgot life is fragile, no clue.

I wanted to be the best,

Ugly me, forgot the people loving me didn't rest.

I wanted that one moment to shine for me,

Kept on losing people that my eyes wanted to see.

I was in pursuit of being productive,

Yet the unlived love made my soul self-destructive.

I wanted to hug, to cuddle all the people I loved,

Yet the fear of losing time kept scaring me—it sucked.

I wanted to laugh, to cheer with all,

Yet responsibilities created a FOMO and stood so tall.

The world moved fast—I missed the pause,

The love that thrives without applause.

I am sorry, Tom, I wanted to say I love you,

Gripped by life, poor me couldn't see.

Tom—my cat, a Universal reminder of love's embrace,

Unseen by the world, yet felt in every space.

The time you rushed to me like a sunburst and run,

Tail dancing wild, heart full of fun,

Your presence, felt like a flickering sun.

Your calm essence echoed through my soul,

Whiskers on my cheeks—your love, your goal.

Nothing you wanted but laps to own,

My discarded caps, your royal throne.

My body knew your love, your way,

It always felt like you wanted to say,

'I don’t ask much, just your gentle touch,

And a little time—oh, I love that so much.

When I curl at your feet, in peace I lie,

I’m content in your presence, no reason to ask why.'

When I was tired and sore, standing beside the door,

You'd burst on the floor- like a lion's soft roar...

And when I was sad, I found you near,

Nudging my hand, bringing me cheer.

No words, no promises, just a soft gaze,

Even your stillness whispered through the days:

'I’ll be here, in all of my lazy ways.'

Even today, my heart cries:

'Please, God, never break our joyful ties'

I wish somehow, I could halt your disease,

But God planned to bring your suffering to ease.

Your gentle purr was spring at dawn,

Now my heart hums sorrow—because you're gone.

I just wanted to stop, to scream, to yell,

Please don't live like me—it’s cruel.

My soul never wanted to be just clever,

What’s a crown if no one’s left to sever?

For the soul never aches for trophies or gold,

but the arms it once held, now too cold.

Now shadows sit where laughter grew,

And echoes weep for moments I never knew.

All my trophies can’t hear me cry,

Don’t be like me — don’t even try.

So, you, who still breathe with fire in your chest,

Love loud. Love now. Love without rest.

So, while the stars still blink in your sky,

Hold your worlds close—don’t let love die.

So, if you're listening, and still have time,

Choose presence over every climb.

Write it deep, write it now—

Love’s the only law that outlives the how.

For life’s not built on goals you sever—

But on those you hold...

Before they sleep forever...

Before they sleep forever...

By Sahil…

By Sahil Pathan