“Where My Heart Forever Lives" (Islamabad, My Soul City)

Introduction : Everyone has a place that is more than just a city—it’s a memory, a friend, a love, and a soul. For me, that place is Islamabad. It’s where I grew up, where I learned about life, where I found my first love, prayed for peace in Faisal Masjid, and built friendships that still remain. This poem is not just about roads, parks, or green hills—it’s about the heartbeat of a city that will forever live inside me. “Where My Heart Forever Lives (Islamabad, My Soul City)” is my love letter to Islamabad.

“Where My Heart Forever Lives"

(Islamabad, My Soul City)

My friends ask me, “what’s your place,

The city you love, the one you embrace?”

Without a thought—my answer is clear…

Islamabad’s name is all they hear.

Then Osman says, “but why that town?

There are bigger cities, of more renown.

Even in Pakistan, beauty runs deep…

So why’s it Islamabad you choose to keep?”

I laugh a little, and calmly say,

“You see it different, I see another way.

For you it’s just a city, plain and still—

But for me, Islamabad is more than a thrill.”

It’s where I grew… it’s where I played,

In parks where golden memories stayed.

As a child I walked with a happy heart,

That city and I will never part.

It’s where I met my very first love,

The skies above us, endless above…

We sat on benches, we talked for hours,

Two souls surrounded by blooming flowers.

Later I grew—and friends I found,

The truest ones still hang around.

They are my only loyal crew,

And every road recalls what we knew.

In Islamabad I learned of life,

Of good and bad, of peace and strife.

It shaped my soul, it taught me all,

It caught me gently, each time I’d fall.

I love the trees, the flowers, the air—

Islamabad’s green is beyond compare.

It blooms, it blossoms, in every way…

It gives me joy on the darkest day.

The Faisal Masjid—grand, so tall,

One of the largest to welcome all.

I prayed inside, my heart found rest,

That peace of soul—I still call best.

So call it small, or call it plain…

But without Islamabad—I can’t remain.

It is my love, my friend, my soul,

The place that keeps my spirit whole.

Yes, the world has cities more vast…

But Islamabad holds my heart so fast.

It’s clean, it’s calm, it’s pure, it’s true—

No city shines the way it does to you.

It’s the kind of place you visit one day,

But never, ever want to walk away.

You want to stay there, and call it home,

Among the hills where I used to roam.

When Osman heard, he smiled at me:

“You’ll never change—that much I see.”

I laughed, “No, but come and see…

This Sunday, walk in Islamabad with me.”

He said, “Alright,” his smile was wide—

And joy was rising deep inside…

               —Shahzad Sulaiman

Summary :

         A lot of my friends, especially Osman, used to ask me what my favorite city was. Every time, my instant answer was always Islamabad. He would laugh and say, “There are so many beautiful cities in the world, and even in Pakistan there are bigger and more stunning cities than Islamabad. Why choose Islamabad over them?” I would just smile and answer calmly: “You see, for you, Islamabad might just be a city, but for me, it is so much more than that. Islamabad is where I grew up, and it is filled with my memories. When I was little, I used to walk and play freely in its parks, happy and carefree. It was there that I met my first love; we would sit on a park bench for hours, just talking. For me, Islamabad is my love.

As I grew older, I made many friends there—or should I say my only loyal friends. So for me, Islamabad is my friend. It is where I learned about the good and bad in the world, and for that reason, Islamabad is my soul. I have always loved trees and flowers, and Islamabad is one of the greenest cities in the world, full of life and blossoms. For me, Islamabad is my happiness. It is also home to one of the world’s largest mosques, the Shah Faisal Masjid, where I spent so much time in prayer; for me, Islamabad is the peace of my heart.

Because of all this, I call Islamabad my soul city. Sure, there may be bigger cities in Pakistan or the world, but are they truly more beautiful than Islamabad? Maybe to someone else, but for me, there is no place more beautiful than my soul city. Islamabad is the kind of place you visit once and never want to leave—you just want to stay there forever. It is green, clean, beautiful, peaceful, and above all, it is home. Home, and it shall always remain so.

After I said all this, Osman smiled and said, “You truly will never change.” I laughed and replied, “Yeah, never. But if you want, we can visit Islamabad, and then you can see for yourself.” He smiled back and said, “Yeah, good, let’s go this Sunday.” I was amused—finally, after all this time, I would visit my soul city, meet my friends, and above all, meet my love again.”

Disclaimer: This poem is a personal expression of love and memories tied to Islamabad. It reflects the author’s own experiences and emotions, not an official or historical account of the city.

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.