Shreyash Ratna Shakya
(The poem is a dialogue between a troubled young boy and a wise old man offering guidance and hope.)
In shadows deep, I wander lost,
Through valleys dark, where hope’s the cost.
Each step I take, a heavy burden,
In this wicked world, where nothing’s certain.
In silence loud, I search for light,
To guide me through this endless night.
But all around, there’s naught to see,
Just echoes of what I used to be.
My dear child, lift up your weary gaze,
In the darkest night, stars still amaze.
Within you lies a flame so bright,
To guide you through the darkest night.
It’s always darkest before the dawn,
In the depths of despair, new strength is born.
Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise,
A life full of possibility is waiting for you with surprise.
But how can I find it, in this endless night?
With every step, I lose the fight.
The weight of the world, it presses me down,
Leaving me broken and bound to the ground.
What if I stumble and fall once more?
What if I can’t find the strength to soar?
With no guiding star to lead me home,
In this bleak abyss, I’m all alone.
Listen closely, and you shall hear,
The whisper of hope drawing near.
Within the darkness, there’s always a spark,
A glimmer of light, to guide you through the dark.
Fear not, young one, for I am here,
To walk beside you, and calm your fear.
With every stumble, you’ll find your way,
For resilience grows stronger with each passing day.
The world seems so cruel, so relentless and cold,
And I’m left feeling small, a mere story untold.
No one hears my cries, no one sees my pain,
I’m drowning in sorrow, with nothing to gain.
The darkness consumes me, it’s all I see,
In this never ending cycle of misery.
But deep in my heart a glimmer still gleams,
A whisper of hope, amidst shattered dreams.
Every obstacle you face, every tear you shed,
Is a chance for growth, as you move ahead.
The darkness may consume you, body and soul,
But within you, there’s a light to make you whole.
In this cycle of misery, there’s a chance to rise,
To embrace the light, and reach for the skies.
If there’s only darkness around you look closely, you may be the light,
So, illuminate it in the darkness and help others in sight.
Oh, wise old man, I have delved within, as you advised,
And found a glimmer of hope, where darkness subsides.
Through deep introspection, I’ve come to see,
That your problems are as big as you allow them to be!
I’ve understood, we don’t become successful in spite of our problems, but rather because of them!
That in facing adversity, our inner strength and resilience does stem.
Anything a person gives his heart and soul to he overcomes,
That in this wicked world nothing lasts forever … not even our problems!
