"Rising from Nothing" (The Lion Who Refused to Fade)

Introduction : 

This poem, "Rising from Nothing (The Lion Who Refused to Fade)," is a powerful anthem of resilience and self-empowerment. It tells the story of rising above rejection, doubt, and hardship to become a symbol of strength and hope. Inspired by the spirit of the Barbary lion and the courage within all of us, it is a tribute to anyone who has ever been overlooked or underestimated. Join me on this journey of transformation and courage as we celebrate the roar of a lion who refuses to be silenced.

"Rising from Nothing"

(The Lion Who Refused to Fade)

Who am I? The one they laughed at loud,

The one they said was useless, not proud.

Ignored, forgotten, left in the dust,

But now I’m everything — I’ll never rust.

Once I was known as nothing at all,

But now I stand proud, steady and tall.

So tell me now, who do you see here?

I’m the one who wipes away your tear.

I’m the one who makes you laugh, not cry,

The Barbary lion who won’t just die.

I’m the one who refuses defeat,

The one who’ll never accept retreat.

I am the lion without a pride,

Yet my roaring soul still won’t subside.

I am Shahzad Sulaiman, that’s me,

I am Yousafzai, bold and free.

I’m the hope for those who hide in dark,

The ones who’ve forgotten their own spark.

For those called nothing, I am their voice,

I am here to remind them — they’ve choice.

I am the lion that won't stay caged,

Not one to be tamed, trapped, or enraged.

A lion belongs to wild, not chains,

So do we — we don’t belong in pains.

I am the king who wears no gold crown,

Yet still, I refuse to kneel down.

I am the candle that lights the way,

So others can rise, night turns to day.

I am the pen that writes all our names,

I’m the one who builds eternal flames.

Glory I built, like a mountain high,

Even when beaten, I still defy.

I’ll inspire lions who’ve felt oppressed,

To rise again and roar with their chest.

I’ve been beat down, broken, bruised, but still,

I refuse to fall, I have that will.

I’ll never kneel to the ones unjust,

Because honor is my only trust.

A lion would rather die than bow,

To a hyena — never, not now.

I still care for what's wrong and right,

Even when I'm alone in the fight.

I’m the crazy one who dares to lead,

When all around us is dark with greed.

I am the Sultan of hearts you know,

The conqueror of hearts — that’s my glow.

I am the lion that roars with pride,

I am Shahzad Sulaiman in might.

           —Shahzad Sulaiman

Summary :

         Who am I? I am the one they once laughed at. I am the one they once called useless. I am the one who was ignored, once known as nothing—but now I am everything to them. So, who really am I? I am the one who makes you laugh when you are crying. I am the Barbary lion who doesn’t want to go extinct and will never be extinct. I am the lion without a pride. I am Shahzad Sulaiman. I am Yousafzai. I am the hope for many who are hiding in the shadows just because they think they are useless or because people called them nothing.

I am the lion who will never accept staying in captivity, because a lion doesn’t belong in captivity, and neither do we belong in the shadows. I am a king without a crown. I am the candle who will light up other candles to make sure there is no darkness left. I am the pen that expresses us. I am the one who built glory like a mountain. I am the one who will inspire other lions like me who once felt oppressed. I am the one who’s been beaten down, broken, and bruised—yet still, I refuse to fall. I am the one who will never kneel to the oppressor, because a lion would rather die with honor than kneel before a hyena.

I am the one who still cares about what is wrong and what is right. I am the one crazy and daring enough to lead others toward the right path when darkness surrounds us all. I am the Sultan of Hearts. I am the brilliant conqueror of hearts. I am the lion known as Shahzad Sulaiman.

Symbolism Explained

In this poem, several symbols carry deeper meanings that reflect the struggles and strength within us:

Barbary Lion:

This represents unmatched strength, courage, and a rare spirit that refuses to go extinct—just like those of us who fight to stay relevant and powerful in a world that tries to forget us.

Hyena:

Symbolizes cowards, oppressors, and those who thrive on the downfall of others. A lion would rather die than bow to such weakness.

Chains:

They stand for oppression, limitations, and everything that tries to hold us back. The poem reminds us that neither lions nor humans are meant to live restrained.

Candle:

The candle symbolizes hope and guidance—the ability to light the way for others who are trapped in darkness.

Rust:

Rust represents decay, weakness, or being forgotten. Saying “I’ll never rust” means staying resilient, strong, and unbreakable despite challenges.

Roaring Soul:

This symbolizes the unstoppable passion and spirit within—a soul that refuses to be silenced or diminished.

Gold Crown:

The gold crown represents traditional power or authority. The line “I am the king who wears no gold crown” means true leadership doesn’t need titles or wealth—it comes from character.

Eternal Flames:

These flames stand for enduring inspiration and passion that continue to burn, even when passed on to others.

Mountain High:

Symbolizes great achievements built on perseverance. Like a mountain, it takes time, effort, and endurance to reach the top.

Bruised:

Being bruised signifies the pain, battles, and hardships faced—but also the strength to endure and rise again.

Honor:

Honor reflects integrity, dignity, and standing for what’s right, even when alone or facing adversity.

Sultan of Hearts:

A poetic title for someone who wins love, respect, and admiration—not through force, but through the heart.

Conqueror of Hearts:

Someone who leaves a lasting emotional impact, inspiring others through authenticity, courage, and connection.

Disclaimer:

This poem is a motivational and inspirational piece created by Shahzad Sulaiman to encourage strength and resilience. It expresses personal thoughts and emotions and is meant to uplift readers facing challenges. The content is not intended as professional advice or a reflection of any specific situation. Please enjoy it as a source of hope and empowerment.

NOTE: These poems are personal expressions, drawn from real emotions, life experiences, and heartfelt dreams. You are welcome to read and reflect, but copying, downloading, or using them as your own is not allowed. If you wish to share a poem or use a part of it in your artwork, post, or project, please give proper credit to the original author: Shahzad Sulaiman (Sultan of Hearts) Thank you for respecting the creative effort and honesty behind each word.