I would rather be lonely
than live in a world
where everyone smiles
but nobody means it.
A world
where kindness is performed,
friendship is convenient,
and “I’m here for you”
has an expiry date.
I would rather walk alone
under an honest sky
than walk beside people
who only stay
because they need something from me.
Being lonely hurts.
But loneliness
never asks me to pretend.
It never tells me
to hide my sadness
behind a smile
just to make others comfortable.
This world teaches us
to look happy,
to sound fine,
to keep moving
as if nothing ever breaks inside us.
And everyone plays along.
We shake hands.
We exchange smiles.
We ask, “How are you?”
without really wanting to know.
Sometimes I wonder
how many people
are surrounded by thousands
and still feel completely unseen.
Maybe that is
the cruelest kind of loneliness.
Not having nobody,
but having everybody
and still having no one.
So if the world
expects me to become
another actor in its performance,
I would rather step away.
Let me be lonely.
Let me sit with my silence.
Let me hear my own thoughts.
Let me remain honest
even when honesty leaves me alone.
Because I would rather
have an empty room
with a truthful heart
than a crowded world
where every smile
is hiding a lie.
I am not afraid of being lonely.
I am afraid of becoming fake
just to never be alone.