The one who loves, loses

Sumera Saleem

January 5, 2025

“Have you ever seen a moment like this

When no matter what you do for justice, you lose?”

Even if you stay silent and look outward as if

you are frozen in time, whereas the world passes by,

you lose.

Even if you voice your mind on what you mapped with your body, 

and what you all hear is dissonance on who you are,

you lose.

Even if you win your way towards truth, and as soon as

you see the other half, defeated, that you once imagined to be,

you lose.

“Your silence hollows you inside.”

“Your voice shapes who you are.”

“Truth relieves you from imitation.”

In the way of justice, there is no win-win situation. 

The only thing that naturally happens is loss.

The one who loves, loses.

And the one who doesn’t, risks nothing.

Sumera Saleem is currently pursuing her PhD in environmental humanities at the Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia. To her, reading poetry is as important as breathing. Her poems have appeared in Tejascovido, Langdon Review published by Tarleton State University, USA, Blue Minaret, Lit Sphere, Surrey Library UK, The Text Journal, The Ghazal Page, Pakistani Literature published by Pakistan Academy of Letters, Word Magazine. A few more are forthcoming in international and national anthologies.