Echoes Of An Outlier Poem by Hassaan Butt

In a world of the temporary, why do I hope for the permanent?
In a world of attachments, why do I feel detached?
Am I truly an outlier, or does everyone deceive themselves?
Will this cycle persist, or will things finally change?

Why do I doubt my abilities when others are intimidated by them?
I can't tell if this is just a passing phase or if my life is unraveling
But everything happens for a reason, doesn't it?
For good reasons, I hope. So, give me hope.

In a world of hopelessness, why am I searching for hope?
In a world of dying, why do I wish to live?
In a world of hate, why do I long to be loved?
Am I defying the nature of existence,
Or simply clinging to the hope of something more?

In a realm of chaos, why do I seek peace?
In the face of despair, why do I still believe?
Am I an outlier, or do we all quietly dream
Hiding our fears behind masks of strength?

In a world drowning in despair, why am I reaching for light?
Am I an outlier, or does everyone pretend to believe?
I never bought into this world's philosophies—
So why am I now falling for them?

Have I lost my awareness, or my sense of self?
Am I losing my soul, or just finding it anew?