This poem reflects on the lifelong quest for identity and belonging. It highlights the hidden wounds caused by trust, loss, and life’s challenges, reminding us that our true self is shaped not by our past but through resilience and self-acceptance.
Ultimately, it takes us on a journey from doubt to inner peace, where we find the answers to life’s biggest questions within ourselves.
# Who Am I ?
A question
That follows me
Like an old shadow,
Growing longer
With every passing year.
I have wandered
Through the crowded maze
Of a restless world,
Where faces are many,
But few remember
The names of broken souls.
The deepest wounds
Were never given
By strangers.
They came
From the hands
I once trusted,
Leaving scars
No eyes could see.
So don’t ask me
Where I come from.
Ask me instead
What I have survived.
Yes,
I am stitched together
By forgotten dreams,
Silent battles,
And tears
I never allowed to fall.
Every step I take
Is a search—
Not for a destination,
But for the person
I was meant to become.
Perhaps
Home is not a place.
Perhaps
It is the moment
When we stop hiding
From ourselves.
And when that day arrives,
I will no longer ask,
Who am I?
Because my heart
Will finally know.
(Vijay Verma)
www.retiredkalam.com
Categories: kavita
Retiredकलम 
This was worth reading sir . You have very beautifully shed light on your journey of ‘self’ – what made you and what broke you ..and you are still evolving as you haven’t still got the answer to the question “Who am I ? ..Keep writing and keep sharing
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Thank you so much, Sir, for your thoughtful and encouraging words. They truly mean a great deal to me.
You have understood the essence of the piece so beautifully. The journey of the ‘self’ is, indeed, an ongoing one—shaped by what builds us, what breaks us, and what teaches us to rise again. Perhaps the question, “Who am I?” is never meant to have a final answer; it keeps unfolding as we grow through life’s experiences.
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Verma ji, this is a masterpiece of introspection. The way you’ve traced the journey from a shadowed question to a heart that finally knows its own peace is profoundly moving.
Lines like “stitched together by forgotten dreams and silent battles” and “home is the moment we stop hiding from ourselves” are hauntingly beautiful—they carry the weight of real survival and the grace of ultimate self-acceptance. That pivot from asking “where” to asking “what have I survived” is a powerful shift in perspective that will resonate with every reader.
Thank you for pouring such raw honesty and quiet resilience into these words. Truly brilliant writing, Verma ji. 👏
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Thank you so very much for your incredibly thoughtful and generous words. I am deeply touched by your reading of the piece.
It is truly rewarding when a reader not only understands the words but also connects with the emotions and reflections behind them. I am especially glad those lines resonated with you. The shift from asking “Where am I?” to “What have I survived?” came from a realization that our journeys are defined less by where we stand and more by what we have endured, learned, and become.
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Does who we are
Have an anchor or
definition that matters
to anyone other than
ourselves and those
we touch or is there
A spiritual aspect.
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Thank you for posing such a profound question.
I believe who we are is shaped not only by how we see ourselves but also by the lives we touch and the values we leave behind. Beyond that, I do feel there is a spiritual dimension—something that quietly connects us to a purpose greater than ourselves. Whether one calls it the soul, consciousness, or the divine, it often serves as the inner anchor that guides us through life’s uncertainties.
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This is deeply moving and beautifully honest Verma ji✨. Every verse feels like a quiet conversation with the soul, reminding us that our scars do not define us our resilience does. The ending is especially beautiful; sometimes the longest journey is the one that leads us back to ourselves. Truly heartfelt and inspiring. 🦋🤍✨
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Thank you so much for your beautiful and deeply thoughtful words. They truly touched my heart.
I am delighted that the poem resonated with you on such a personal level. Your observation that our scars do not define us, but our resilience does, is both profound and inspiring. I also loved your reflection that the longest journey is often the one that leads us back to ourselves—it perfectly captures the spirit behind the poem.
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Beautiful words! 😊💜
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Thank you so much! 😊💜 Your kind words always brighten my day.
I’m truly grateful that the poem and my reflections resonated with you.
Knowing that the words found a place in your heart is the greatest reward any writer could ask for.
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My favorite part of your poem is this:
“Every step I take
Is a search—
Not for a destination,
But for the person
I was meant to become. Perhaps
Home is not a place.”
It reminds me that life is a journey and each step we take, each new chapter we enter leads us to discovering our true selves.
I, too, also resonated with the line “what I have survived.” That’s was very powerful! 💯💜🙏🏽
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging words. They truly mean a great deal to me.
I’m especially happy that those lines resonated with you. I’ve often felt that life is less about reaching a final destination and more about discovering who we become through every experience, every challenge, and every step we take. In that sense, perhaps “home” is not merely a place, but a state of being we gradually grow into.
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Thank you for sharing this, Vijay!
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read it and for your kind words.
I’m truly grateful that you stopped by to share your thoughts.
It brings me great joy to know the poem resonated with you.
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You’re welcome, Vijay, and thank you for this reply. I thought it was all good but I liked this in particular:
“Perhaps
Home is not a place.
Perhaps
It is the moment
When we stop hiding
From ourselves.”
I can relate to that very well. Until I can look into a mirror and understand that “all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (including the man I’m looking at in the mirror), I do not know the full truth about myself.
Of course, that truth is offset by the wonderful promises of an Almighty God.
Thanks again, Vijay, and I’m glad to know you have joy because your poem resonates with others. That is nice.
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful reflection. It truly means a great deal to me that those lines resonated with you so deeply.
I appreciate your honesty and the beautiful perspective you shared about looking into the mirror with humility and faith. I believe that accepting our imperfections is often the first step toward genuine peace, and God’s grace gives us the hope and strength to keep moving forward.
I’m grateful that my poem connected with your heart. Thank you for your kind encouragement and for sharing such meaningful insights. Wishing you continued joy, peace, and many moments of quiet reflection. 🙏🌿
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