It’s always the same story,
some people build bridges,
strong and steady,
straddling the distance between hearts.
Others burn them,
leaving nothing but ashes
and the rancorous odour of remorse.
And then, there are people like me,
standing aloof in the middle of the sturdy bridge,
caught between two worlds.
I am hesitant,
too tentative to take a step forward,
fearing the unknown that lies ahead.
Too saddled to step back,
afraid of what may be left behind.
I linger in the stillness,
watching the world on either side,
and wonder if bridges are meant to be crossed
or only to be built and burned.
.
Bhuwan Thapaliya
Picture Nick Victor
Nepalese poet Bhuwan Thapaliya works as an economist and is the author of five poetry collections. His poems have been widely published in international magazines and journals such as Kritya, Foundling Review, FOLLY, WordCity Monthly, Poetry and Covid: A Project funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council, University of Plymouth, and Nottingham Trent University, Trouvaille Review, Journal of Expressive Writing, Pandemics Literary Journal, Pandemic Magazine, The Poet, Valient Scribe, Strong Verse, Ponder Savant, International Times, Taj Mahal Review, Poetry Life and Times, VOICES (Education Project), Longfellow Literary Project, Poets Against the War, Pratik among many others. Thapaliya has read his poetry and attended seminars in venues around the world, including South Korea, India, the United States, Thailand, Cambodia, and Nepal.
.