The Other Universe

If the concept of a parallel world exists,

I hope in that world, I don’t exist.

But my mother does — whole and free,

With no weight of the world, no burden of me.

A universe where she lives alone,

Not tied to anyone, on her own.

No family calling her name each day,

No dreams she’s forced to give away.

Born not as the eldest with duty to bear,

But as a girl who’s taught someone cares.

A girl allowed to rise and roam,

To chase her dreams, to build her home.

She studies hard, her books held tight,

Sleeps in peace, no tears at night.

She works, she earns, she stands so tall,

No one to please, no one to call.

She doesn’t marry to fix her fate,

Or give her dreams up at the gate.

She isn’t told, “They need you more,”

She walks right through her own front door.

She travels the world, not asking why,

Takes photos beneath a foreign sky.

Her laughter fills the morning air,

No guilt, no weight, no silent care.

She cares for herself, her body, her mind,

No family chains that cruelly bind.

She wakes up slow, she breathes in deep,

No thoughts of those she had to keep.

And even though I’m not there too,

That world’s more beautiful — it’s true.

Because she lives, not just survives,

She leads, she dreams, she builds her life.

If that world exists somewhere in time,

Let her be free, let her be fine.

Let her forget the roles she played —

Let her choose the life she made.

Let her fly — let her shine.

In that universe, she is divine.