Threads of One Fabric

We are all threads of one fabric-

The fabric of the human experience.

Embroidered by effort, dampened by tears,

Emblazoned by ambition, creased by anger-

We are all threads of the same single fabric-

Which is the fabric of our human emotion.

Emotions that flow, those that can't

Those that sneak away, waiting to be discovered-

And those that comfort us

In times of distress.

We are drawn by our emotions like puppets tied

To a string- becoming caricatures in the live play

Which is our every day life. And yet, it is 

These emotions that define us. You, me , everybody-

Tied together by shared experiences that are

Composed of shared sentiment.

And yet, pangs of doubt refuse to depart-

Is that which I'm feeling, justified? Is it alright?

I say to you- I think every feeling has a place.

Yours, mine, theirs, everyone's. It's got a role to play.

So don't hold it back, pin it down or push it away-

There's a definite reason that it's here for you today.

Differences define us, and yet, they scare us.

So let us tear apart the differences in our experiences-

To examine the similarities in our journeys.

We are like the parts of a growing plant- disparate, functional,

Different, but inter-dependent. 

There a bulb that emerged earlier, here a root which tapered in its own time-

Each took its own while to thrive. Each found a meaning to its life.

Some sooner in one way, others later in another sense-

But they all got there.

So also is it with us. What we feel is universal-

Life throws the same plight, pleasure, disappointment,

A fair share of surprises - at every one of us.

We are all oarsmen of the same boat-

The buoy of human emotion.

So let's come together and capture the stories

That we are keen to tell each other-

Let's understand how we feel and accept how we feel-

Let's conquer how we feel.

Let our pursuit of befriending our emotions be global-

Let us do the Inside-Out trick together.

Because we are all threads of one fabric-

The fabric of our human experience. 

P.S.( and Author's Note): 

I wrote this poem on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, 2022, which falls on the 10th of October every year.  

Since the poem captures a pivotal theme that has been capturing the headlines and gaining a lot traction as of late, I considered it to be imperative to write a parting note befitting the gravity of this topic. 

Several high-performing athletes as well as celebrities have shown great courage and strength in coming forward to speak with confidence and clarity, not just about their experiences with mental health, but also the courses of action that they adopted in navigating mental health challenges. 

I believe that Mental Health, just like Physical Health and Well-Being, is not a topic to be brushed under the carpet, under the pretext of being a given. 

It has to be valued, cultivated and nourished. But, foremost and very importantly, it has to be loved. Your mental health and sanity are a part of you, yet they may not be. They're just as volatile in a stress-driven and competition-ridden world, as a muscle is susceptible in the face of continuous exercise, threats and exposure. 

I think Mental Health being given a day of its own is beyond justified. It is necessary. 

"A healthy mind resides in a healthy body, but a healthy body needs a healthy mind."